BEARING THE CROSS OF JESUS PROUDLY AND LOUDLY

 

31 October 2025  /  friday Blues 1-015

 

BEARING THE CROSS OF JESUS PROUDLY AND LOUDLY

 

by Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje (KSJI)

 

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Reflections on the spirituality and meaning of the ‘KSJI Anthem’

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The anthem of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) resounds with conviction and courage: “We bear the cross of Jesus proudly and loudly!” This profound declaration captures the essence of Christian knighthood — a life of faith, discipline, sacrifice, and witness. To bear the Cross of Jesus is to live daily with His mission and message engraved upon our hearts, and to proclaim His victory over sin and death with unashamed joy. It is both a duty and an honour, a spiritual calling that defines who we are as soldiers of Christ and defenders of the faith.

 

UNDERSTANDING THE CROSS

 

The Cross is the central symbol of Christianity — the emblem of salvation, redemption, and eternal hope. It represents both suffering and triumph, weakness and strength, death and resurrection. When Jesus said, “If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23), He invited us not into comfort but into commitment; not into fame but into faithfulness.

 

To bear the cross means more than wearing it as jewelry or displaying it on our banners. It means embracing the life of sacrifice and service that Christ Himself lived. It is a call to humility, obedience, and steadfastness even when it is unpopular or difficult. St. Paul understood this deeply when he wrote, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14).

 

BEARING THE CROSS PROUDLY

 

To bear the Cross proudly is to identify boldly with Christ in all circumstances. In a world that often mocks faith and ridicules righteousness, the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International stands tall as a witness to the power of the Gospel. Christian pride is not arrogance; it is confidence in the truth of our salvation. It is the joy of knowing that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

 

As knights, our pride in the Cross is reflected in our service to humanity, our moral integrity, and our defense of the Church. We are called to embody the chivalric virtues of courage, charity, and fidelity. In our homes, workplaces, parishes, and communities, we must show that Christ reigns in our hearts. The proud bearer of the Cross is never ashamed of being known as a Christian, even in the face of persecution. For the Scripture declares, “Whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His glory” (Luke 9:26).

 

BEARING THE CROSS LOUDLY

 

To bear the Cross loudly is to proclaim the Gospel not only by words but by actions that echo in society. It means being visible and vocal in defending truth, justice, and love. A silent Christian is a powerless witness; a timid soldier cannot win battles. The Church today needs men and women who, like the Apostles, will say, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

 

The “loudness” of our witness is not in noise or showmanship, but in consistency and courage. When we stand up against corruption, when we defend the poor and the voiceless, when we stand for the truth, when we uphold integrity in public life, we are bearing the Cross loudly. When we pray, serve, and forgive in a world that promotes hatred, we declare the living presence of Christ among men.

 

The Knight/Lady of St. John is a soldier of light — marching forward with the banner of the Cross unfurled, singing as he/she goes. In the face of ridicule, temptation, or injustice, he/she remembers his/her oath and our anthem: to bear the Cross of Jesus proudly and loudly.

 

THE REWARD OF BEARING THE CROSS

 

The Cross is not the end; it is the path to glory. Jesus endured the Cross, despising its shame, and “is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Those who carry their crosses faithfully will share in that glory. The Lord promises, “If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him” (2 Timothy 2:12).

 

The proud and loud bearer of the Cross finds joy even in trials, for he knows that suffering for Christ’s sake produces endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3–5). He does not seek earthly applause but divine approval. Like the saints before us — the martyrs, the apostles, the faithful knights — we march onward with eyes fixed on the crown of righteousness that awaits those who finish the race and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

 

LIVING THE ANTHEM

 

Every time the Knights and Ladies of St. John International sing their anthem, they reaffirm a solemn pledge: to make their lives a living testimony of Christ’s love and sacrifice. To bear the Cross proudly is to live with holy dignity; to bear it loudly is to let the light of faith shine for all to see. Together, these virtues transform the knight’s service from mere ritual into a radiant witness of Christian virtue.

 

Our world today is in dire need of such witnesses — men and women who will not hide their faith, who will march into the arenas of politics, business, and civil life with the Cross as their compass. The call is clear: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

 

CONCLUSION

 

To bear the Cross of Jesus proudly and loudly is to live as a true knight of Christ — courageous in witness, faithful in service, joyful in suffering, and steadfast in hope. It is to stand where many fall, to love where many hate, and to serve where many seek to be served. In doing so, we fulfil our anthem and our calling: to be living signs of the triumph of the Cross. Let every Knight/Lady of St. John, and every Christian soldier, rise each day with this anthem in heart and voice — proclaiming to the world that the Cross of Christ is not a burden to hide, but a banner to hold high, proudly and loudly.

 

 

Noble Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje is a distinguished and multidimensional communicator whose work as a writer, columnist, blogger, reviewer, editor, and author bridges the intersections of global health, sustainable development, human rights, climate justice, and governance. He is the Chief of Protocols of the Abuja Grand Commandery of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St. John International, and has attained the Noble (highest) degree of the Order. A former Vice Chairman of the PPC and two-terms President of the CMO of St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja, Sir Uzodinma Adirieje has been honoured as ‘Ezinna’ CMO of St. John of the Cross Parish, Amaruru, Orlu Diocese, Imo State; and ‘Ezinna’ CWO of St. Martin Parish, Lugbe Abuja. He holds a number of chieftaincy titles including ‘High Chief Ugwumba I of Amaruru clan’, and ‘Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo Lagos State’.