WEDNESDAY, September 14

Philippians 2:5-11. He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

On September 14 in the year 335, a great church was dedicated in Jerusalem on the site of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The hill of Calvary was near a courtyard of this church. On Good Friday a remnant of what was believed to be the “true cross” was exposed and venerated by the faithful.

Through the centuries, the cross became the primary Christian symbol. Faithful Christians revere the cross as a sign of Jesus’ love for all. For countless millions, the cross is a sign of forgiveness, hope, and salvation.

Some Christians have used the sign of the cross to dominate, oppress, and persecute people who were not Christians or who were Christian of different traditions. Some people have made the cross a sign of murderous hate and fear.

For all of its venerated meaning for Christians, the cross must not be an idol or an emblem of abuse and oppression. The cross’s primary meaning is of Jesus’ humble obedience to the Father in which we see and know the love of God for all.

The cross revealed what kind of world we have and what kind of God we have: a world of gross unfairness, a God of sacrificial love.

--Philip Yancey

PRAY for the Diocese of Soroti (Uganda)

Ps 98 or 98:1-4; Isaiah 45:21-25; Philippians 2:5-11 or Galatians 6:14-18; John 12:31-36a

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
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Sep 14, 2011 at 6:21 am

Written by Chris,

Many people wear a cross as jewelry which is very popular and comes in many styles and designs. Some have it as a sticker on their car, right next to their college or sports team logo. I wonder if each time when I see examples of the cross, like those that wear cross jewelry or with stickers on their cars, do I consciously think about Jesus Christ and God's sacrificial love or not. Do I at times blot out the meaning of the cross because of the decoration or marketing or due to my busy activities. I will try harder going forward to remember what the cross means, to me, each time I see it. +

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Sep 14, 2011 at 7:46 am

Written by Mary kier,

In the church were I grew up there was a life size crucifix on one wall in the chapel. It always had a spotlight on it. It was all carved out of a light colored wood. I used to sit near it and studyIt; the face in pain, the thin ribs and crown of thorns. What struck me most as a child is that I could touch him and he felt real, human. It was easy through the years to see and feel the meaning of the cross. A good sculpture can do that.
However it is true, people wear the symbol of the cross more nonchalantly. I teach piano at a roman catholic school. When they receiv their first cmunion it is a very big day in the life of the child. The week after their communion all of the girls will be wearing small gold crosses on a gold chain. They can't wait to show me at their lesson however it is not the usual excitment over the new toy or trend. You can see in their eyes that this cross was given with an explanation and a sense of commitment. It is quite moving. I have a cross that is also the at davids cross named for our church and Staint. I think I will wear it today and every day as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us so that we may have eternal life.

The Cross of Christ

Sep 14, 2011 at 9:20 am

Written by emeline lockhart,

The Hymn, "In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering oe'r the wrecks of time...................." reminds me that Christ's death on the Cross is a constant reminder of His Supreme Sacrifice for our sins. When I make the sign of the Cross, whether in or out of church, I am signing with Christ's Seal, acknowledging my appreciation for what He did for the world. It also signifies to others that I am a child of the King!

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Sep 14, 2011 at 9:26 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Thank you everybody. This as caused me to think about what the cross means to me, and what it meant to Jesus. Jesus didn't want to be crucified. He prayed for relief. He didn't get relief, but he remained faithful through ridicule, torture and execution. The cross, as wielded by people in power, is one of the worst forms of capital punishment. The cross is a weapon of terror. It is slow death, naked, in public.

It is OK to use the image of the cross to remember that Christ overcame death, but we have to be careful not to worship it.

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Sep 14, 2011 at 11:30 am

Written by E. Linda Cushner,

I also thank you all for the comments concerning the wearing of the cross. Before I became an Episcopalian, I belonged to a denomination that generally did not revere the cross as we do. The big cross was at the alter but there was not any figure on it. We celebrated the resurrection and the life after. Good Friday was not a religious day for us. So when I became an Episcopalian, I embraced the entire meaning of the cross. To me it is truly a symbol of obedience, sacrifice, compassion and the life hereafter. Sometimes, I wonder how Christ could have done such a thing for us. It is by far overwhelming to me.
I wonder sometimes if all of those who wear the cross as jewelry or an ornament realize and understand what it truly symbolizes. I know that it is hard for me to comprehend such an act of love from God; that He loved us so much that He sacrificed His only Son for us.

The Cross Transformed

Sep 14, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Written by Rick,

Jesus transformed the cross from a symbol of torture, pain and brutality into one of love, forgiveness and eternal life. Another miracle of Jesus.

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