This Friday, the Anglican Communion joins the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, as well as some Protestant Churches in honoring Holy Cross Day. If you are like me, you don’t have any idea why or what that day is. I had to do a little research. Turns out, September 14 was the actual day that Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Roman Emperor, “found” the original three crosses on which Jesus and two others were crucified. This was back in 337. She and Roman clergy and historians had traveled to Jerusalem in search of holy relics, and they found them. Near the location where the crosses were found, the grave site of Jesus was determined. And there, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built.
My spirituality (or “piety” as we used to say in seminary) doesn’t really incline me toward veneration of the cross. However, my understanding and experience of the love of God and how it is articulated is found there. The cross is an instrument of torture and death. It’s hard for me to venerate it. But it’s also the means for God’s love and forgiveness to be modeled to the world. So, on Friday, perhaps we should reflect on what our “crosses” are and how well we are carrying them as instruments for love and forgiveness. And for sure, let’s thank God for the one Jesus bore.
My spirituality (or “piety” as we used to say in seminary) doesn’t really incline me toward veneration of the cross. However, my understanding and experience of the love of God and how it is articulated is found there. The cross is an instrument of torture and death. It’s hard for me to venerate it. But it’s also the means for God’s love and forgiveness to be modeled to the world. So, on Friday, perhaps we should reflect on what our “crosses” are and how well we are carrying them as instruments for love and forgiveness. And for sure, let’s thank God for the one Jesus bore.
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