From a very young age we have learnt to make the Sign of the Cross on ourselves and we have taught our children to do the same. The Cross holds the most prominent place in our churches. We ornament our homes, cars, our necks etc. with a cross. We have crosses everywhere in Goa, and we honour them. We exalt the Cross because it reveals to us the passionate Love of God the Father for us. While we were still sinners, He sent His only Begotten Son to suffer and die for us, to save us from the clutches of Satan, and bring us into His heavenly kingdom.
In Goa, we know of the Holy Cross Churches that celebrate the feast of the Holy Cross. They are packed with faith-filled Christians attending the entire novena leading to the feast, singing joyous hymns, to celebrate the feast. It is most surprising that we celebrate the feast of an Instrument used for the killing of the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity. Does this make sense? It is important that we take a fresh look at the Cross, in a way that will help us to appreciate the value of the Cross and understand better its role in the struggles of our daily life.
Do we simply sign ourselves with a Cross every day; hang a cross around our neck as something nice to put on; or a tattoo on the thumb? Or do we know, understand and believe in the power of the Cross? Yes, there is power in the Cross, if we believe in it, more importantly believe in our heart.
1) The Cross is a WEAPON given to us and we must make use of it. If we tap into the Power of the Cross faithfully, no sin, no evil will have power over us anymore. The Cross gives us power over the temptations that prevent us from becoming holy. Think what the devil has to endure when he sees us use a cross. He fears it because it is the very weapon Jesus used to win the victory over the devil, sin and death.
2) The Cross is POWER: It is the symbol of the triumph of Jesus over evil. We have sins we cannot overcome. We have habits that we have had for many years, which separate us from God. These are barriers to holiness. Sometimes we feel spiritually dead. The Power of the Cross can help us to overcome all these sins and habits and can raise us from deadness.
3) If we believe that the Cross is a Weapon and a Power, Jesus invites us to follow Him. He says, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” To deny oneself means to empty oneself, and once we have emptied ourselves, we can carry the cross. Jesus isn’t asking us to carry around a cross with us, but to have a concern that will lead us to help others.
4) How do we Deny ourselves and Carry Our Cross? We can do it in the following ways:
- By surrendering our lives and giving first place to Jesus, daily.
- By being obedient to the Father as Jesus did.
- By sacrificing for others, by loving others even when they hurt us.
- By turning off the TV, mobile and other entertainment and spending quality time with Jesus.
- By choosing discomfort over comfort when helping someone in need.
- By being content with the basic necessities of life.
- By accepting everything that comes to us, as coming from God.
When we bear our cross in self-denial it leads to conversion and change of life spiritually. We are called to live a life of holiness – to be Saints. When we truly deny ourselves, like St. Paul, we can say, “It’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
In the third century in all the ordinary actions of daily life people would trace a cross on the forehead. Some do it even today. When we believe in the Power of the Cross, we need to start tracing the Cross on ourselves very often – when we go in and out, put on our clothes, bathe, etc. It will remind us to deny ourselves and carry our cross. This will bring strength in our spiritual life and the power of victory in our daily life, when some misfortune occurs.
My sisters and brothers, crosses will always be with us. Let us carry them well – they have Value. In sharing Jesus’ Cross, we pierce Heaven to pour Grace on us, because we need it.
May the Holy Cross of Jesus hold a prominent and permanent place in your Home and in your Heart.
– J. Rodrigues