- 19 April, 2025
1. Fixing Our Gaze on the Cross
Today, on Good Friday, our eyes are focused on Jesus on the Cross, the symbol of our Faith.
Jesus, our Crucified Lord reminds the inevitability of the Cross in the life of a Christian, and the need to be persons who are responsive to this “Crucifying Challenge of Christianity!”
2. The Cross: A Strange and Saving Symbol
Christianity sometimes is really strange, when compared to other ways of life…
While other ways of life propose actualizing oneself and finding salvation through one’s own abilities, Christianity invites everyone to experience the mystery of God’s Faithful Love that “thirsts for us” and gaining salvation by cooperating with His Grace!
While other ways of life propose casting away all pains and difficulties and living a prosperous life, Christianity suggests accepting sufferings and detaching oneself from vain riches!
3. Christ Crucified: A Paradox of Power and Humility
Yeah, Christianity is strange, simply because it’s Founder was strange!
Jesus never demanded popularity.
He never suggested easy paths or compromised His convictions!
And Jesus did die in a strange way… on a Cross!
The Cross was a hated symbol in the ancient world.
Crucifixion must have been the most brutal means of execution ever devised.
Unlike modern methods of capital punishment that are designed to produce a quick death, Crucifixion was meant to ensure that the person on the cross would die a slow, agonizing death!
The Cross was supposed to make a perfect mockery of Jesus!
But Jesus on the Cross shames this notion of the world!
4. The Cross and Human Pride
The world feels greatly arrogant in being proud!
But Jesus on the Cross proves that human beings can never redeem themselves; they have to come to God!
Jesus on the Cross stands as a silent sentinel proclaiming that you have to come to God’s way, or you won’t come at all.
The Cross stands in judgment over the sinful pride of the human race.
The Cross - which was symbolic of oppression and misery, now with Jesus, symbolizes life and redemption to all!
5. The Cross: Shame to the World, Salvation to the Believer
Yes, the Cross is a symbol of shame to the world!
But for Christians, it is a symbol of salvation!
The Cross is a symbol of absolute stupidity and absurdness to the world!
But for Christians, it’s a symbol of the majestic wisdom of God!
St John of the Cross would say: “The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.”
6. Two Thieves, Two Choices
Two thieves on either sides died with Christ on the Cross:
One mocked Jesus; the other sought Jesus
One took pride in himself; the other humbled himself
One lost a golden opportunity; the other won the Prized Paradise!
The Cross with Jesus hanging beckons to each one of us now.
We have a choice – like both the thieves:
Are we going to lose a golden opportunity or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise?
The choice is ours!
Escape from the Cross or embrace the Cross!
Exit the Cross or exalt the Cross!
7. Embracing the Cross in Our Lives
In many of our Churches, Chapels or our homes, we have the Crucifix, placed at a certain height. We all love to come before this Crucifix and express our words of devotion and endearment.
But perhaps, the Crucified Saviour, is today calling us, from the Cross and telling us: “My Child, do not be far from me. Come closer to Me and learn to embrace me from close.”
And when we go closer to the Crucifix, we also realise that if we turn the Crucifix, behind, there is an empty place. Yes, there is a vacancy, a place for us to be crucified with our Suffering Lord.
Are we ready for this?
Are we ready TO REALLY LOVE THE LORD?
Are we ready to embrace the Cross of Christ and be His genuine followers?
When we feel the intense emptiness of God’s presence in our lives, we need to be pilgrims of Hope, ‘planting the crosses of our difficulties on the inner hill of our hearts;’ and thus find peace, consolation and strength!
May the Crucified Lord always be our love and our strength!
Blessed Good Friday!
Love the One, Who Loves You to the end!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
By Fr. Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS (reflectioncapsules@gmail.com)
© 2025 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP
