Good Friday Reflection: Finding and embracing your cross

Today, for Christians, is a special day set aside to commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross. It’s also a day that we can set aside, no matter what religion or spirituality we affiliate ourselves with, and challenge the mystery of the cross. We can be authentic disciples by embracing our hearts and confronting the cross that we personally carry.

On this Good Friday, I ask you to find your cross. A cross can be embraced, and it can also be forced upon us – against our will. My question to you is: What cross do you carry?

The first cross that some of us bear is the Goat Cross. Some of us are undergoing some painful experiences inflicted upon us by others, as if we were a scapegoat, forced to bear the scars of other people’s sinful actions.  As a result of the Goat Cross, we blame our parents, teachers, culture, the church or even our government. If this cross is carried, it frequently ends up in the courtroom.

Another cross is the Crybaby’s Cross. These are those who always say, have pity on me; I need special treatment; make an exception for me for I am a wounded disciple. We find comfort in asking: Do you see the heavy cross I am forced to carry in my life?

We have the Cranky Cross. Because we carry the cross of not finding a job; of being overworked and/or underpaid or the cross of sickness or of family problems, we become angry, bad-tempered, irritable, grumpy and crabby. Those of us who carry Cranky Crosses are crosses to others.

The Cross of Our Humanity is the cross of human nature. We can be stingy, eager to serve and also self-serving, kind and also mean. Such is the nature of the human condition, and often it’s hard to bear!

We further carry the Cross of Others. It’s heavy with sin and mistakes of our family and country. This is a difficult cross to embrace since it is a sharing in government’s guilt and sin. It’s hard enough to embrace our own sins, but to carry the sins of all with whom we are associated including religion, government and society is truly to walk in a saving figure’s footsteps.

There are many other crosses that we bear, but the heart of this reflection is a promise of a new era of justice and peace for all. You and I need to embrace and carry our crosses, to deny our very selves as we surrender to God’s will.

On this Good Friday, embrace your cross with great affection and love. When you do so, you can release from it the power to fertilize and pollinate humanity.  Great is the power in each of our crosses to create a new breed of humans, true son and daughters of God.

My prayer for you is the grace to understand and embrace fully your cross on this Good Friday and every other day that you are called to do so.

Elton Letang, C.Ss,R, is a Dominican and a Master of Divinity student at Boston College.

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18 Comments

  1. April 1, 2013

    Perhaps it is best if we go back to the Bible – the Word of God – if we want to learn the meaning and significance of the cross. Nobody can read the Gospels and Paul`s Epistles without knowing that the cross bears witness to the fact that we are sinners. Had we not been sinners there would have been no need for Christ to accept our guilt and suffer our punishment on the cross to provide salvation. The cross – that is the cross of Christ – tells us the price was paid in full for our salvation when the Saviour shed His precious blood. As He was about to expire He cried with a loud voice `It is finished`. This was not the final whimper of a defeated man. It was a triumphant announcement! The sun went into eclipse. The earth shook. The veil in the temple was rent from the top to the botton. The cross tells us that salvation has been provided full and free for each individual who believes. `Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.` (Acts 16:31) `Therefore being justified by faith, we HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.` (Romans 5:1) So please don`t replace the true cross where sin`s demands were met by a cross of man`s own making, a mere figure of speech! Sincerely, Rev. Donald ill. Pentecostal Evangelist.

  2. out of south city
    April 9, 2012

    DNO I see that my comment is finally posted so I apologise.

  3. out of south city
    April 9, 2012

    DNO I was disappointed that my comment was not posted. I guess that you do not want people to know the truth about their hiistory and want to keep them in the dark. What a shame.

  4. out of south city
    April 8, 2012

    To understand what true divinity is, one has to study the ancient writings of Egypt(hieroglyphics) that our forefathers left us in stones. How can one be a master of divinity if he or she has not studied our spitituality,since we were the first people and others studied our history, distorted it, made it their own and then gave it to us as though it is the truth? We in the Western world have adopted a Eurocentric form of christianity which is false. This was done because of white supremacity so that we would perpetually believe that our saviour was a blue-eyed blond haired saviour. How can the people who enslaved us deliver us? All other cultures have copied our form of spirituality and we are kept in the dark, not knowing that we were the firt in everything that now exists. Mathematics, medicine, languages,astronomy, physics,spirituality,metaphysics, navigation (latitude and longitude) and whatever I may have left out. We Africans are the first people.
    Here are some authors who tell us about our history. John G. Jackson,”Pagan Origin of the Christ Myth,” “Christianity Before Christ,” “Man, God and Civilization,” George G. M James,”Stolen Legacy,” Cheikh Anta Diop,”The African Origin of Civilization Myth or Reality,” Gerald Massey, “Ancient Egypt the Light of the World.” The are other authors such as Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Yosef Ben Yochannan, Dr. John Henrik Clarke whose books are worth reading in order to know who we really are. Europeans are not going to tell us our story. We have to read and do a lot of research in order to erase that spiritual enslavement (European christianity), from our psyche. We cannot rise as a people if we do not know who we are. European Christianity has caused us to hate Africa, to think that African were uncivilized and savages (when in truth, the Caucasians were living in caves in the Caucaus mountains in Europe) and that the signs and symbols that our forefathers left in egypt were paganistic. The Europeans have taught us lies for so long that we cannot even accept the truth. One of their lies was that Christopher Columbus discovered the so-called New World. If we don’t wake up and take our rightful place as the great people we once were, then the Europeans will continue to destroy us as a people.
    I write this in truth,peace, and liberation.

  5. j j
    April 7, 2012

    I had a bless day on good friday . I believe that jesus died on the cross for us . Without him I wouldn’t be here today I thank and magify his holy name . 11 coments straing I can see dominicans more intristed in dramma I see so many coments for crimes and murders yet I don’t see. So many for my christ . Happy easter to the few of us that take time to reflect on our fathers dead .

  6. apache.
    April 7, 2012

    holy thursday:you holy,good friday:you good,saturday gloria you start to get back to your oldself,saturday night, you dancing and drinking already.easter sunday:good food and fete.socalled easter monday party like hell.i remember one priest who was at the door, cashing, when bells combo was playing.all them way of the cross is just making a mockery of the Father JaH and JESUS.

  7. April 6, 2012

    I believe that was a very great article which could only be executed by a Dominican, we do so well in other countries, especially in the US because we are not afforded the opportunity here. GO DOMINICANS. great people we breed.

  8. April 6, 2012

    The unfortunate thing is that we fail to understand that Jesus carried all of the various crosses on our behalf.

    We fail to understand that by faith in His strength and power of Love on our behalf we can be freed from the burdens of our cross.

    For Jesus invites us: “Come to me all of you who labor and are carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11: 28

    Hence we do not ever have to carry our cross alone, because Jesus is willing to give us a helping hand. He invites us: “To take up our cross and follow Him. Luke 9: 23

    In many cases our cross or the loads we are carry are the ways that God Almighty trains and disciplines us to know Him and His ways of Love–the Life that He gives to us through His connection to us through conscience.

    The Book of Job is a perfect example of God’s discipline and training which causes us to know Him in “Spirit and Truth” for that is who God is.

    Today we simply need to believe that our cross has already been laid down at the feet of Jesus Christ.

    By faith we can go into the Spirit and simply watch our burdens of the day sailing, along below us–as we embrace the warmth and comfort of Joy and Peace–the rest that Jesus gives to us.

    Remember Jesus’ word: “This things I have spoken to you, that in Me you shall have peace. In the world you shall have tribulations; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. John 16: 33

  9. April 6, 2012

    :( if it was a beth alot of u pple would comment but iz 4 god so allu u silent hmmm wat kind of christianz are we so i say AMEN god died on the cross for us and our sinz :cry:

  10. April 6, 2012

    Today is not a special day for all christians.It is a special day for the Catholics who have compromised christianity by incorporating paganism into christianity to parcify the gentile converts.Do people actually know the Easter God.God didnot ask for the catholics help in adding or subtracting from his word.But we all have to give account for these changes.People just accepting anything into chritianity and just figure out that will be pleasing to God.We cannot do what we want to please God otherwise we become gods to ourselves.God tells us what to do to please him and not the other way round.

    • wow
      April 6, 2012

      wow…anti-catholic or uwp?

    • April 7, 2012

      @VIP

      You said: “We cannot do what we want to please God–God tells us what to do to please Him and not the other way around”.

      You have spoken the truth and I hope that readers, Christian or not have taken heed of those words.

      What you have stated is something I learned many years ago: that Jesus is the Person of Love, as God Almighty is Love–the nature of Spirit, Truth and Holiness. His attitude and conducts were the ways of Love–the Life which He gives to us–aand so He wants to live this Life just He did.

      And everything that Jesus did, He did with the intention of glorifying the nature of God Almighty–Eternal Spirit, whose Mind He possessed, the reason He called Him Father.

      Many Christians believe that Salvation comes through their works of religion, and so they try to bend over backwards to do or to follow all sorts of religious rules and regualtions–but they are making a tragic mistake.

      Apostle Paul teaches us by grace we are saved through faith; and not by ourselves–it is a gift of God–not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 1: 8-9

      We simply need to pray to our God, asking Him to bless us with strength that we might build faith in Him. And when this faith is built in us, we need to put it to work. For without faith, it is impossible to please God.

      The evidence of Salvation in us is the prompting of Holy Spirit time and again–He having indwelt us. Through conscience He causes our mind to process and produce the attitude and conducts of Love–He is the One who causes us to demonstrate those attitude and conducts to those around us.

      The attitude and conducts of Love are seen through us in the forms of joy, peace, goodness, kindness, patience, self-control, humility, and endurance–those are the nature of Holy Spirit.

      It not us who do those works mentioned above, but Holy Spirit in us, who prompts the urge in to do them–and the honors or merits we receive belong to God Almighty–not ours.

      Religious rules and regulations will take us nowhere, what-soever. Because through those works we do not glorify God’s Love–as we would not have God’s Love in us in the first place.

      Apostle Paul again advises us to walk in Love; walk in Light. We can only accomplish this walk when we learn to live by faith and not by sight.

      Lest we forget!

    • April 8, 2012

      i am nt a catholic and i believe init so i dont get ur point

  11. Life Spark
    April 6, 2012

    Helping People to Understand the Cross

    Crucifixion was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised by man. It was employed by the Persians (c. 522 B.C.). Darius had 3,000 Babylonians crucified when he conquered that territory. Later, it was employed by the Greeks. Following the destruction of Tyre, Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 men of military age. The Jews even used crucifixion on occasion. In the inter-biblical age, Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.) crucified 800 Pharisees who had been involved in a revolt. But the Romans were most noted for the practice. In 71 B.C., following a slave revolt in Rome, 6,000 recaptured slaves were crucified on the Appian Way leading to the city (Vos, p. 439).

    During the first century, the Jews employed four methods of capital punishment – stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangulation (Goldin, p. 141). But Jesus was executed according to Roman procedure. Aside from the political considerations, there were reasons for this.

    First, Christ had to die in some fashion that involved the shedding of his blood, without which there could be no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). Since the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), man, by virtue of his transgression, forfeited his right to live. However, in the marvelous sacred scheme of things, it was determined that God’s Son would offer his life in exchange for man’s (1 Cor. 15:3). Inasmuch as the “life” (Heb. – nephesh) resides in the blood (Lev. 17:11), it was necessary for the Lord to shed his blood to effect redemption. Isaiah speaks of the Messiah’s “soul/life” (nephesh) being “poured out” unto death (53:10-12). Centuries later, the Savior said: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28). The crucifixion thus accommodated a method of death consistent with the heavenly plan.

    Second, under the Old Testament regime, hanging a body upon a tree was a special token of accursedness; “He that is hanged is accursed of God” (Dt. 21:23). J.H. Thayer noted that crucifixion was a most “ignominious punishment” designed for the “guiltiest criminals” (p. 586). By his death upon the cross, the Savior “was made a curse for us: for it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth upon a tree” (Gal. 3:13). It is significant that the “cross” is designated as a “tree” several times in the NT (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 1 Pet. 2:24). The Lord’s death by means of the crucifixion upon the cross, therefore, was a fitting symbol of the fact that he was hearing the “curse” and “shame” (Heb. 12:2) of sin for the human family.
    All who so choose may take advantage of that wonderful gift (Rev. 22:17), by being immersed into Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:3-4).

  12. Anonymous
    April 6, 2012

    Crucifixion was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever devised by man. It was employed by the Persians (c. 522 B.C.). Darius had 3,000 Babylonians crucified when he conquered that territory. Later, it was employed by the Greeks. Following the destruction of Tyre, Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 men of military age. The Jews even used crucifixion on occasion. In the inter-biblical age, Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.) crucified 800 Pharisees who had been involved in a revolt. But the Romans were most noted for the practice. In 71 B.C., following a slave revolt in Rome, 6,000 recaptured slaves were crucified on the Appian Way leading to the city (Vos, p. 439).
    The prospective crucifixion victim, as a rule, was first subjected to flagellation, i.e., a beating with a three-thong whip (fashioned of plaited leather, and studded with bone and metal). The victim was stripped naked and then was secured with leather ties. He was then beaten from his upper hack to the lower extremities of his legs. The flesh was flayed from the muscle. Eventually muscle could he shredded from the bone. The bones of the back, including the spinal column might well be exposed in a bloody mass. Not infrequently these whippings were fatal (Kittel, Vol IV, p. 517).

    During the first century, the Jews employed four methods of capital punishment – stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangulation (Goldin, p. 141). But Jesus was executed according to Roman procedure. Aside from the political considerations, there were reasons for this.
    First, Christ had to die in some fashion that involved the shedding of his blood, without which there could be no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22). Since the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), man, by virtue of his transgression, forfeited his right to live. However, in the marvelous sacred scheme of things, it was determined that God’s Son would offer his life in exchange for man’s (1 Cor. 15:3). Inasmuch as the “life” (Heb. – nephesh) resides in the blood (Lev. 17:11), it was necessary for the Lord to shed his blood to effect redemption. Isaiah speaks of the Messiah’s “soul/life” (nephesh) being “poured out” unto death (53:10-12). Centuries later, the Savior said: “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28). The crucifixion thus accommodated a method of death consistent with the heavenly plan.
    Second, under the Old Testament regime, hanging a body upon a tree was a special token of accursedness; “He that is hanged is accursed of God” (Dt. 21:23). J.H. Thayer noted that crucifixion was a most “ignominious punishment” designed for the “guiltiest criminals” (p. 586). By his death upon the cross, the Savior “was made a curse for us: for it is written: Cursed is everyone that hangeth upon a tree” (Gal. 3:13). It is significant that the “cross” is designated as a “tree” several times in the NT (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 1 Pet. 2:24). The Lord’s death by means of the crucifixion upon the cross, therefore, was a fitting symbol of the fact that he was hearing the “curse” and “shame” (Heb. 12:2) of sin for the human family.

    All who so choose may take advantage of that wonderful gift (Rev. 22:17), by being immersed into Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:3-4).

  13. Concerned citiizen
    April 6, 2012

    Very profound Sir Letang!

  14. Juelle
    April 6, 2012

    A great article to reflect on, on this day.Thanks and Blessed Easter to all.

  15. Emperor
    April 6, 2012

    the cross is all about triumpth. that Jesus died for our sins.thats whats it’s all about holding on with tradition and not applying the word and meaning to our life means nothing.IS accepting that he died and raised again and today our sins are forgiven.

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