“Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations….” (Book of Isaiah 52:13-15 / KJV Bible)
What is the Cross of Christ? What do love and compassion and salvation mean for which it stands?
Maybe, it means creation itself. It is the dazzling radiance of brother sun and the soft beam of sister moon; it is the twinkling lights of the shining stars that make one wish for a bright tomorrow. It is the refreshing drops of rain and the dry lands called earth; it is the trees of the forest whose long arms reach out for the sky. It is the birds in the air, the fishes in the seas and the wild beasts that roam the mountains; it is the enchanting beauty of the flowers in the field and the green grass thereon.
It is the Garden of Eden and the first bite of Adam and Eve; it is paradise lost and the promise of redemption. It is the call of Abraham and his act of faith that justified, the covenant with Noah and the ark which survived the storm. It is the charismatic leadership of Moses and the hard road to glory that was the Promised Land; it is David's throne and his courage that slew the terrible giant. It is Solomon's wisdom and the sweet songs of the psalmists for the Great Composer; it is Isaiah's messages on God's Holy Servant and the power of Love to fulfill the prophecy. It is the Virgin's womb that bore the Wonderful Child, Just Joseph who was standing by and angels singing praises to the Star of Bethlehem and the lovely Lamb of Calvary. It is a promised fulfilled and the Light shines on.
It is St. Peter to whom the key of the gate of heaven was entrusted and St. Paul's conversion which inspires us all. It is St. Jerome's Vulgate and the wisdom of the ages; the Word is passed on and reason is crowned with faith.
That there are children in bright-colored dresses with their cheerful smiles and churches where they come to pray. The church opens its door and a faithful gathers, singing hymns and chanting praises. The dusk sets in, and a man takes his wife and child home; the door closes and a family unites in love.
These are the Cross of Christ ----- each of us and all of us together with the true and triumphant God forever.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 / KJV)
“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could he healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 / NLT)
“When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mark 11:7-10 / NIV®)
