Search
-
March 11, 2023The symbol of the Cross is such a powerful image in our faith tradition. A symbol, in a theological sense, is an external manifestation of the relationship which a person has with Jesus Christ. It comes from and is shaped by the power of that personal relationship. The symbol in some way illustrates our current reality of our intimacy with Our Lord. Within our Catholic faith tradition, we see the Cross as presenting a paradox -- an instrument of torture and death but seen as a glorious symbol of our salvation. But what does it mean to us personally? As a child – I saw a movie called The Miracle of Marcelino, a 1955 Spanish film. Generally, it was about a boy that was about the same age as I was when I saw the movie, he was 6 years old. From what I can recall, he lived at a monastery as he was an orphan, because his parents died a couple of years before. And how he survived was that when he had a difficult time, he envisioned about what it was like and how it felt in the arms of his mother and the comfort and love that he experienced there, the agape love (the highest form of selfless giving), a love that is giving of self, such as is given from a parent to a child.
The monks tried to protect him as much as they could. They warned him not to go up into the attic as it was full of things and machinery that could harm him. They named it a dangerous place. So, of course, like all of us, or any child (smile), you know where he went – straight for the attic. As he opened the door and within the dusty old attic, he came across a life size crucifix. He began making regular visits to the attic. And, talked to Jesus nearly everyday. He told Jesus about his joys and his troubles, his celebrations and his sorrows (like how he felt about the passing of his dear Mom and Dad). Then, he got very sick and was in a lot of distress, as he missed the gentle cradling of his Mother’s arms as he needed her comforting touch. All of a sudden as the boy had his eyes closed in pain and tears, Jesus came off the cross and he held the boy in his arms.
This is the powerful image that I remember from this story from my youth that helped me form my young, personal view of the symbol of an empty cross often during my Lenten journey. Jesus on the cross shows forth His beautiful self-giving. He experienced pain and suffering but overcame all by the renewal and resurrection that comes from a loving God. He came down personally to this child to provide that selfless love, to comfort a child in sadness and his suffering.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). This image, this symbol burned in my heart as I was young, the love of a mother for a son, the love of a Father for his only son. He sent Him to us to teach us about LOVE and to provide for us an opportunity to share in God’s love, God’s life. During this Lenten Season, let us embrace the Cross, as a sign of love in spite of suffering, despite sin, no matter our circumstance for the Lord, Jesus, makes all things new as He wraps us in His loving arms.
During this Lenten journey, through our Baptism, we share in the life of God, in His love and share our renewed joy with each other.
Blessed Lent,
Fr. John
