Save In The Cross

This most solemn of all the days of the year focuses on the CROSS. At the Liturgy of Good Friday, we will listen to John's passion account, lift the needs of the church and world to our Father, venerate the cross, and receive Holy Communion. No decorations, everything stripped bare so that the CROSS stands out as the main symbol of the day, a day of sorrow, a Pieta day...Jesus in the lap of Mary, Jesus in our laps. "All ye that pass by the way, stop and consider if there be any sorrow like my sorrow." (Lam 1: 12). Once the "electric chair" for the worst of criminals, the CROSS was dreaded and feared, but now it has become the "valentine", the symbol of God's love. "God forbid that we should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, by whom we are saved and delivered." To take time between noon and three to be quiet, to meditate on the stations of the cross, simply to look on the crucifix and let our imagination bring us back to Calvary, to see Mary, Mary Magdalene, and John at the foot of the cross...to feel their helplessness, anguish and pain...to look upon Jesus, forgiving, crying out to his Father, promising Paradise, thirsting and commending his spirit to the Father: "It is finished." (Jn 19:30). What else can be more important today, except to spend time before the Cross?
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