The Cross?

When we think about the Cross of Jesus Christ, the Holy Cross, what do we think?  Dick Folger tells this cute story, every night of a play performance, the lead actor stood atop a small trapdoor on the stage floor and announced with flourish: “I descend into hell!”  At that moment the door would … open and he’d plunge down out of sight. But the (lead) actor became suddenly ill one night, so an overweight understudy was pressed into service.

When he said the line, the small door opened, the new actor plunged down — and got stuck halfway.  Unable to free himself, he looked helplessly out at the astonished audience and gave one of the greatest ad-libs of all time: “Hallelujah! Hell is full!” 

   

Well I hope that Heaven is not full when my journey here on earth ends.  The first Christians were embarrassed by the cross because it was a humiliating symbol of defeat.  Only after reflection did they realize that both the Cross and the Resurrection are symbols that point to God’s love for us.  Jesus died to free us from the fear of death; His Cross reminds us of His love.  Signs and symbols mark our world, our country and our homes.

Photographs of earth taken from outer space remind us that we a tiny spec in the Universe yet loved by God.  The Statue of Liberty reminds us that we are a nation of immigrants whose generous hearts bear witness to God’s love for the stranger.  What signs and symbols in your home remind you and your guests that Jesus is the center of your life?

Jesus – TRUE God and TRUE Man suffered and died for you &and me – WHY?  Why did a loving God allow His Son to suffer and die?  Maybe to help us overcome our fear of suffering and dying.  Jesus’ Suffering, Death & Resurrection. point us to the HOPE of heaven.

In our funeral rite we pray with faith and hope in the sure knowledge that, “… every tear will be wiped away…. and that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death.” Our time here on earth is preparation for eternity, let’s make our preparation the best it can be.

May God Be Praised!