The attitude of putting our agenda ahead of others is perhaps one of the biggest obstacles to the manner of seeing and hearing the word of God within us, to really listen to our soul consciousness. Practicing soul consciousness allows us to see blessedness around us; the mystery of the cross cuts through the blindness of egocentricity to see what is most precious in life, to notice the subtle sensitivity around us, to feel connected with ourselves, with others and with creation. Paradox of paradoxes: what is felt as death-dealing is in fact life-giving. Isn’t this why we surround the cross with flowers during the feast of the Holy Cross? The cross viewed in this light is blessedness in the deepest sense of the word. It is the path to the deep-seated learning to live in the spirit of the beatitudes. (NS)