Many are people are repelled by the cross. This is because such people see the cross as a means of punishment, rejection suffering, the fruitfulness and the riches that the cross reveals. Blinded by their wrong conception of the cross, they see only the pain and the weight of the cross but not the salvation, the means and hope of salvation. The cross is Christ’s glory. As we celebrate the exaltation of the cross, we are raised up with the crucified one, who promised: ‘and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself’ (John 12:32). Jesus fulfills this promise by drawing us to the cross, where he is the priest, prophet and king. With Jesus on the cross, ‘we are more the conqueror’s (Rom 8:37); we are ‘triumphant and victorious’ (Ps 118:15); we leave behind sin and death. It more precious than anything on earth, in fact it is indeed a treasure, for in it and through it and for it, all the riches of our salvation are restored to us.’
The church, our redemption, our forgiveness of sin, the destruction of the power of hell (Satan) are but some of the fruit and effect of the cross of Christ. That is to say that participating in the sacraments and in programs and activity of the church is to participate in the power of the cross of Christ: The sources of life of the church. That is why we can confidently say: ‘no cross: no crown, no salvation, no redemption, no love, no peace, no prosperity, no hope, ‘therefore, we are not ashamed of the cross, or rather. We , who know the power of the cross and believe in it, have reason to celebrate it, exalt it, embrace it, wear or carry it on our body, and sign or bless ourselves with the sign of the cross.
God told Moses to ‘make a fiery serpent’ so that those bitten out of their stubbornness of heart and disobedience and ‘looks at it’ (Num 21:8) would be saved. Looking at the cross or beholding the wood of cross on which hung the savior or the world (as we do on Good Friday) is to contemplate on the beauty and vicarious nature of the cross. He offers us his body, which is the fruit of the cross, to eat, as our spiritual food. He also offers us his blood, to drink as our spiritual drink. Jesus clearly linked Moses’ act of deliverance in the wilderness which only resulted in temporary relief for the people, Jesus ‘ atoning death on the cross brought decisive victory over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus victory in the cross cancels the debt of our sin, and releases us from guilt and condemnation. In the church, we use the cross in different ways, it is used as a form of prayer and for blessing people and objects. As a form of devotion, people devoutly kiss it. Making the sign of the cross is an utmost sign of our faith in the cross of Christ. Kissing the cross is a holy act that has worked innumerable miracles in the lives of those who practice it. Many sick people have received their healing and comfort from the lord. People bless themselves by making the ‘sign of the cross’ at times with holy water. At mass, the ‘small sign of the cross’ is made in which a small cross is traced with the thumb on the forehead, the lips, and the breast of the individual while whispering the words: may Christ be in my mind, on my lips, and in my heart’
May God help us to understand the meaning of the cross.
Shalom
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