the way of life and peace

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(Prayer for Monday of Holy Week)

I pointed out in my sermon yesterday that the Palm Sunday prayer asks that we may follow the example of Jesus' great humility expressed in his becoming human and dying on the cross, as I shared from Philippians 2:5-11.

I note that this prayer appointed for the Monday in Holy Week, which is also a prayer recommended for Fridays, asks God to "mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace." I do believe that this way of living to which we are called, a "baptized life," a "crucified life," will heal us. Not just that we have to go through it to get to the other side. Not just that it's the way God appointed "for the joy set before" us. But it is the way the life of Christ is worked in us and worked out through us.

It has something to do with the very structure of the universe as God intends it, the very essence of divine life entering human life is simply expressed this way: servanthood, laying down one’s life, emptying oneself, not taking advantage of any status or privilege, humility, patient suffering, choosing powerless submission, non-violent resistance to whatever Powers are encountered...

It is not only the way of life and healing for us and our relationships - but the way of life and healing for the world, which for now is being put right through the church... (Ephesians 3:10)