Embracing someone you love or the very entity that has embraced you:

Embracing someone you love or the very entity that has embraced you:

This very thought of a lifeless entity becoming a life-giving security might appear as a super-natural phenomenon until we take another look at the Cross Jesus died on.  The tree that once was a mighty blossoming growth of nature became a blessing and a curse after it was used as the attachment of the body of Christ at his death.  The day Christ died on this tree God cursed it by making it smaller than it was and blessed it by having it bloom every year during the Easter Season.   

It is a fact that this part of nature that embraced the body of Christ now embraces the sign of new life that lets the body of God’s Son free to rise to New Life at his Resurrection.  The reminder that nature had a lot to do with Christ’s Passion now reminds us as we hold, caress and worship the very tree that embraces our faith as our crucifix as well.

The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christ’s sacrifice as “the source of eternal salvation” and teaches that “his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited justification for us.”  And the Church venerates his cross as it sings: “Hail O Cross, our only hope.”  (CCC 617).  

The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the “one mediator between God and men.”  But because in 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 mystery of his redemptive suffering.  (CCC 618).  

Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.  (St. Rose of Lima).

Without the Cross no one will get to heaven!  Jesus was emphatic when he said, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but  whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  Or what can one give in exchange for his life?  For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to his conduct.  Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”  (Mt 16: 24 - 28).

Embrace your cross, for with it you will find the manner to reach the gate of heaven.

Ralph B. Hathaway