In the story of Jesus there are pivotal moments, which – if they didn’t occur – might have changed not only Jesus’ ‘destiny’, but ours. As you would be well aware, Jesus’ story sits at the centre of a great and wonderful narrative that begins with the creation story. It follows humanity’s fall and the persistent and loving offer of a covenant relationship with God. Humanity’s rejection results in the ultimate gift – the Incarnation of God in the person of Jesus. His ministry culminates in his rejection, passion, death on the Cross and Resurrection. With the sending of the Holy Spirit, the life of the Church continues the story until the end of time.
Paul had a clear understanding that these events were necessary in order for God’s plan for all humanity’s salvation.
Something happened in many places in the 70s and 80s. We became “Resurrection People”, and one of its consequences was the disappearance of the corpus from the Cross. It happened at the same time that we Catholics developed a sensitivity, rather than sensibility about the death of Jesus. It was ugly, untidy and better left alone. The crucifix disappeared from various churches, chapels, school foyers and classrooms. It was replaced with Resurrected Christs triumphant before the Cross, or with those attractive Crosses painted with bright biblical scenes.
In one staff meeting we engaged in a robust discussion on this matter. Students, I was told, were fearful of the corpus. I argued that without Jesus’ death on the Cross there was no Resurrection. It is one of the necessary events without which God’s plan would never be completed.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul outlines in six, compact and dense hymnic verses the core of the kerygma. The divine becomes incarnate in Jesus, in his humility he accepts what is ordained for him, his death on the Cross, and his being raised to glory that we may all worship him.
On 14 September, was the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 AD where nine years earlier St Helena discovered the True Cross.
The Cross will and must remain front and centre.
Mr Peter Douglas
Director of Faith and Mission
