The cross was not an afterthought in the life of Jesus. It was no unfortunate accident that God then turned to work for his benefit. John the Baptizer proclaimed early on, “Look, the Lamb of God.” The cross was the shape of Christ’s life and work. As his disciples, Jesus asks us to participate in this cruciform life. He tells us, “take up your cross and follow me.”

Living a cruciform life means that we participate in and embody the cross. It means we look backward to the cross while looking forward to the resurrection. It means we live in and with a suffering world, but in hope look towards the reconciliation of all things. Cruciformity means that we are justified through Christ’s self-giving faith and love. Faith is not the intellectual ascent to the fact and historicity of the cross and resurrection, it is our participation in the cross and resurrection. On the cross, Jesus revealed the divine suffering and reconciling love of God for the world. As those who follow in the way of Jesus, we embody this love of God in Christ.

Here is the cruciform life in an equation: although x not y, but z (taken from Michael J. Gorman, Reading Paul). What this means is that although Christ was equal with God (x) he chose not to exploit this (y), but rather emptied himself (z), taking the form of a servant being obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2.5-11). Cruciformity is the intentional self-giving love for the sake of others.

This is not some way of life that only the likes of Mother Teresa and St. Francis can live. It is a call that is given to all who wish to follow in the way of Jesus. You can begin the cruciform life one moment at a time. The next person you see, remain open to how you might give of yourself for the sake of that person. Now, look to the next person you encounter to give and receive love.