Today, on the day that Jesus died, we come to Mass to venerate the cross of Christ, to behold the wood of his cross, on which hung the salvation of the world. Eucharistic prayer for reconciliation #1 states that on the cross, Christ’s arms were outstretched between heaven and earth, becoming a lasting sign of your covenant. We remember that this day, a covenant between God and man was sealed with nails, splinters, and blood.
The prophet Isaiah describes a suffering servant, foreshadowing the arrival of Christ, as servant who bears our infirmities and endures our sufferings. On the wood we venerate and touch on the cross of Christ, we see the shoot that has emerged from the parched earth as described by Isaiah. Christ is nailed to the cross, becoming one with his cross. For our own brokenness, from our sins and our own sufferings, we see the cross that has served to bring us salvation. In the cross, we see that we are saved. We see how much God loves us.
The harsh reality of our world reflects the reality of Good Friday. Of those who died an unjust death here on earth. The war and violence that continue. Those who die a lonely death. Those who have lost hope in the future. Christ is still being crucified today.
However, we still have the love of Christ and the mercy of the Father. Christ constantly intercedes for us. As Christ looks upon the violence and torment of the world, he proclaims: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Despite the reality and hardship of the world, our savior speaks on our hope, offering us the cross as a witness of hope, a promise of the new life that is offered to us in our faith. We are to behold the wood of the cross, on which hung the salvation of the world.
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