The Centrality the Cross
As we reflect upon Jesus’ Cross Walk as a paradigm for growing in loving union with God and for authentic discipleship, let’s do a survey of the centrality of the Cross within the Church: Her Scriptures, Tradition, Liturgy and more. By way of summarizing our last session and help us recollect ourselves, let me offer these words from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #618, “Our Participation in Christ’s Sacrifice”:
“The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the ‘one mediator between God and man.’ But because of his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, ‘the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery’ is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to ‘take up their cross and follow him,’ for “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example so that we should follow in his steps.’ In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the master of his redemptive suffering. Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.”
The Centrality of the Cross in Scripture
The Holy Scriptures are filled with deep reflections and considerations of Jesus’ cross and crucifixion. From key typological passages in the Old Testament, through the Gospels to various Epistles, the people of God then and today are brought to the Cross of Christ. Just consider these very few representative passages:
Philippines 2:6-11
1 Peter 2:21-24
Luke 23:26-27 (see also Mark 15:21 and Matthew 27:32)
There are also many Old Testament types and prophecies related to Jesus’ Cross and Crucifixion: the Tau on the forehead of Cain; the Cross as the Tree of Life in Genesis and wisdom literature; Moses and the Bronze Serpent; Abraham and Issac.
Let me offer some observations. First, when we speak of the Cross we are speaking about Jesus’ Cross. In His day, the cross was a very well-known, gruesome form of execution. It was practiced in other nations such a Persia and China as well. There is no way we can overestimate how shocking Jesus’ remarks of “carrying one’s cross” would be to His audience. It would be like our placing artisan renderings of an electric chair in our sanctuaries or wearing a gold replica of an electric chair around our necks or on our Rosaries. Jesus transforms the Cross into a reality of redemption and healing - into life! Therefore, the cross we carry is His own cross. Furthermore, we unite to His cross our personal crosses of suffering, trials, losses and more. By doing so, we discover redemptive meaning to the trials and sufferings we encounter and become connected to a supernatural, transformational power.
Secondly, the Cross of Christ as a type and path of authentic discipleship reveals the role of “self-denial”, “emptying” and “obedience”. I think about Peter’s words in his first epistle - words that he himself will live to the fullest through his own martyrdom by crucifixion (He requested to be so upside down as he felt he was not worthy to die like our Lord). What powerful reminders and role models for the early church and the communities of Matthew, Mark and Luke’s gospels. Through the spiritual, grace-filled operations of self-denial, emptying and obeying, we draw closer to loving union with our Lord and brought to greater conformity to Him (i.e. humility and charity). We find meaning and greater purpose as we seek to offer ourselves as gifts and living offerings to others for the sake of God and love of God.
Lastly, the way of Jesus cross is radical and totally countercultural. The Cross was countercultural for Jesus’ day and for the early Church, and for every generation of the Church down through time to our world today. We live in such a narcissistic, self-centered, self-worshipping culture. I recently saw a cartoon where the character responds to a gallup pole’s finding that “Religion is in a great decline.” by stating, “Well, I worship.” In the background is a triquetra or trinity-shape, Celtic knot with a mirror in the center reflecting the character’s countenance. In the three panels were the words “Me”, “Myself” and “I”. Jesus’ cross delivers and heals us from self-deception, self-trust, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, self-obsession. As new creations we become oriented to God who made us in love and for love - drawing us to our true identities, destinies and life. We becomes epicenters of His Divine Love for the world and for others.
The Centrality of the Cross in the Liturgy
Of course, we immediately bring our attention to the “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium): The Holy Eucharist. Saint Thomas Aquinas states, “The sacraments of the Church derive their power specially from Christ’s Passion. (Summa, 3, q. 62, a. b.)". As you reflect on the Church’s liturgy, Her sacraments, the liturgical year, Daily Office and more, what immediately comes to you as to the centrality of the cross in the liturgical life of the Church?
Maybe you thought of similar examples:
The very design and construct of the altar is representative of ascending Mount Calvary
Making the sign of the cross at the holy water font
Making the sign of the cross when kneeling to enter the pew
The Sanctuary Crucifix and the one on the altar
The procession led by the Crucifix
Signing at the Gospel
The Creed
Eucharist
Making the sign of the cross upon reception of the Eucharist
Fasting on Friday’s
Stations of the Cross
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary
Lent (Ash Wednesday, Adoration of the Cross), Holy Week, Good Friday, Holy Saturday
Through our exploration into the centrality of the Cross and Jesus Crucified within the the Church, Her Scripture and Liturgy, we have capture greater glimpses into the meaning, power and life that is made available to us through Christ and being His disciples. In our next time together, we’ll wade out into deeper waters as we consider the Self-Denying dimension of Jesus’ Cross Walk.
During the interim, allow me to offer some reflection questions for your consideration and prayer:
In light of what has spoken to me, what do I want to spend time in loving conversation with Jesus about?
How do I find myself wanting to respond to Jesus’ invitation to deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Him? What do I need most from Him in order to do that?
Where am I needing greater interior freedom so as to respond to Christ in greater love? What would this freedom look like for me?
Prayer - Covenant with God, from St. Gertrude the Great”
O Almighty God ! I sanctify, dedicate, and consecrate to Thee every beating of my heart, and every pulsation of my blood ; and I desire to make this compact with Thee that every beating shall say to Thee: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbath ; and I beseech Thee to impute this meaning to them, so that they may be before Thy Divine Majesty as the increasing echo of that heavenly canticle which the Seraphim sing without ceasing to Thee. Amen.”
