So they took Jesus, and, carrying the cross himself, he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull, in Hebrew, Golgotha.
There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle.
His daughters and several grandchildren had gathered at the bedside as the old man lay dying. They invited me, their pastor, to visit him with the final prayers: Viaticum and the Commendation of the Dying. Knowing several of the women I knew they would welcome further prayers and I led them in the recitation of the Rosary.
Finishing the prayer, I blessed the gathering with the sign of the cross. The patient had moved little during the long prayers but as I finished he struggled to raise his hand and arm. Unable to do so, he pointed with the same hand at the nearest daughter. We were all confused for a moment until someone said, "He wants to make the sign of the cross!"
The daughter jumped up and, holding his elbow and hand, assisted his final gesture. He passed into eternity a few hours later.
No one loves the Lord who does not embrace his cross, taking it to themselves daily as a gesture of gratitude and devotion. It is a sign that is contradicted for this appalling form of execution was intended to humiliate and traumatize anyone who saw or heard of the killing. But from the Day of Pentecost, Christian missionaries happily -- gleefully! -- announced that the Crucified One had been raised up and was more alive than ever.
Many dismiss the news out of hand. It sounds like utter nonsense. And yet Jesus's disciples persist in announcing the Good News until it takes root and spreads to every nation on earth. Even its implausibility persuades the faithful that God's spirit impels its proclamation, and persuades the hesitant. Why would anyone believe this nonsense if they weren't deeply convinced of it? Millions refuse to accept scientific proofs, and yet they believe in the cross.
Today we forgo the Mass to pay particular devotion to the cross. Men, women, children, and babies come forward in silence to touch, genuflect before, or kiss the cross. We can hardly express what it means but it touches each of us with a particular and commanding importance. We dare not ignore or forget the cross. It is the key, the gate, and the path to the Salvation of the whole world.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.