If you haven't read the "Hunger Games" trilogy, I can recommend it. It is written for teens, so it's written at a fairly simple level in terms of language, but there's a lot to discuss. It would be great to read along with your teen.
I found this article, "The Holy Cross: A real life “Mockingjay” for Catholics" interesting. If you've read the book, the allusion to the mockingjay will make sense:
To me, the idea that ties the religious
significance of this story together best is the “mockingjay.” I find
in the image of the mockingjay a clear and resounding symbol of the
Cross of Jesus Christ. The mockingjay is described as a bird that was
first used by the Capitol as a tool of oppression against the
districts. It was used to spy on them during the war of rebellion, and
thus was intended to be a tool to monger fear, distrust, and docility
towards the power of the Capitol...
In the same way, the punishment of
crucifixion was authored by the Romans as a tool to oppress the masses
by instilling fear in anyone who might have thought of speaking out
against them. Crucifixion was a punishment reserved for revolutionists
and traitors; those who sought to overthrow Roman authority. In
enduring his cross, though, Jesus was able to turn the tables, not only
on the Romans, but on the devil himself. What was designed as an
instrument of torture and death became, through the power of God, an
instrument of salvation for the world. In passively submitting to his
violent death, Jesus was able to destroy violence forever. As
Christians, we venerate the cross, and display it as a reminder of this
reversal, and, like the district citizens wearing the mockingjay, we
confidently say that we are no longer susceptible to the snares of
death, because of our solidarity with the one who is life itself.
If you've read the books, let me know what you think.
Acknowledging the perfect joy of suffering in Christ, but having a little fun along the way.
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