It’s Sunday, and we walk into church for Sunday Mass. Another week gone. Another one starting.\u00a0 We sit down in our usual seats and wait, looking up at the altar. Nothing has changed except for the flowers. We notice a new bottle of water sitting up behind the priest’s chair. Oh wait! I forgot to genuflect! O well… I’m already sitting. I’ll do it when I leave.<\/p>\n
Growing up we are taught about the cross, and Jesus’ crucifixion at Easter. But sometimes, the meaning doesn’t always “sink in”.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As Catholic Christians, we believe that the cross and the crucifix both represent Christ’s supreme<\/strong> act of love and sacrifice for ALL<\/strong> of humanity’s sins… past, present and future<\/strong><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n But there IS A HUGE difference between each of them! The empty cross symbolizes our faith and Jesus’ victory over death by his resurrection. The crucifix symbolizes the sacrifice and suffering of Jesus’ crucifixion.<\/p>\n While the symbolism of the crucifix seems a bit more somber than that of the cross, we have to consider how our faith and love of God and of each other can quickly be overshadowed by trials and tribulations.\u00a0 (especially in times of trouble and despair)<\/p>\n Knowing, seeing, understanding and accepting that Jesus’ suffering on the cross was for us, we are reminded that everything we go through here on earth, (good and bad), is felt by God.\u00a0 \u00a0(Psalm 34:18<\/a>\u00a0 Isaiah 49:15<\/a>\u00a0 John 11:35<\/a>)<\/p>\n So why do so many people treat the cross differently?<\/strong> Some will hang it on the wall at home dusting it off once in a while, while others will pray daily in front of the image or make the sign of the cross as they pass by it. Some will wear a pendent of a cross\/crucifix everyday because it was a gift from their Mom, while others will put permanent images of it on their skin as a constant reminder of their faith journey.<\/p>\n No matter how we see it, no matter how we use the cross\/crucifix, we are ALL called<\/strong> as Catholic Christians to understand<\/strong> in our hearts what His Cross<\/strong> truly means.<\/p>\n (click the videos below!)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n