The Miracle of the Crucifix

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week - Tuesday*

*GOSPEL - Jn 3:13–17*

*First Reading - Nm 21:4b–9*

*SECOND READING - Phil 2:6–11*

*Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross*

*The Miracle of the Crucifix*

*1) Cross on the Day of crucifixion*

It was on Good Friday that Jesus was crucified. When we see the Cross and Crucifixion on this day, what would have been the thinking about the Cross and Crucifixion?

Most of the people concluded that it was the end of Jesus 

Crucifixion on the Cross was most terrible worst thing that could happen to any person, even to a greatest criminal

Death of Jesus through the crucifixion is the most terrible thing, which could happen to a great person like Jesus 

These were some of the common opinion which were circulating among the people 

*2) Cross after the crucifixion of Jesus*

When Jesus died on the Cross, there were some external signs which took place according to the Gospel of Mathew

*At that moment (When jesus died on the Cross) the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split. and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.* Mathew 27:51-53

So something special happened at that very moment which never happened before anybody's death on the Cross 

This also gives an indication that the crucifixion of Jesus and the Cross has a special significance to our life 

*3) The Cross down the centuries of church's life*

After the death of Jesus, the Cross has become the focal point of Christian life 

There is no Christian spirituality without the Cross. Our spirituality revolves around the spirituality of the Cross 

In the entire life of the Church, the Cross has become the powerful instrument of communicating God's love and the means to reflect the sacrifice of Jesus

*4) Today the Significance of the Cross*

Today there is no place where there is no cross. 

Any part of the world we may go, there is cross

Today Cross has travelled to the entire world and it is still traveling to the furtherest corners of the world 

Today the Cross is found in small or big mountains, in every holy compus, in temples, pilgrim places, road sides, on the street walls, house doors, in the house altars, in our key chains, in the necks of every believer and in the things which are used by the believes 

So it is really a miracle that cross is found every where, and it is being hailed as the instrument of salvation

On the day of crucifixion no body might have thought that the Cross would become such a powerful instrument after the death of Jesus 

So this is really a miracle of the Cross 

*5) Cross in our life*

Today we are happy to follow the Cross. It gives us hope, courage and strength 

It is instrument of blessing and the channel of Gods grace to the entire humanity 

There is no other instrument other than the Cross to explain the Love of God, towards the Humanity. 

Today Cross is my life and my breath. Without which I can't live my Christian life 

*How do I accept cross in my life?*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*