In some translations of the Bible, the ‘glory’ in this passage of Galatians (6:14) is rendered as ‘boast’. For Paul the only reason for which we can ever boast as Christians is be found in the cross and all it symbolizes. The Cross is never a fancy object. It is an object of shame, of guilt, of pain, suffering and death. But this radically changes when it was embraced by Christ, becoming therefore the ultimate definition of the depth of love. Love was displayed in its deepest form on the cross – giving of all, of blood, of life for the sake of the beloved. This is what Jesus did. The cross of Christ is a message of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and sacrifice. Can we live up to that challenge? Can we suffer for the sake of others? Can give a bit of our time, resources, and even our dignity and prestige in order to save others from persecution, injustice and pain? This is the challenge of the Cross and this is the only parameter for our boastings as Christians.

Let us recall again that the standard is not set by us. This is not ‘our cross’ as such, but ultimately the cross of Christ, by which He set before us the standard of the ‘new creation’. In teaching us what it means to carry the cross, even our crosses takes on new meaning in the light of the cross of Christ. Without Christ, our crosses are just meaningless suffering that only serve or diminish us. In our crosses, the focus is on ourselves and no where else. But when yoked with the cross of Christ, the focus changes, with Christ as our center and the rays of goodness, selflessness, love, joy, forgiveness and kindness extending to all around us. Christ makes us glow. In his cross, we glory.