Our Lord Jesus Christ is crucified on this cross of wood. It was a thing of horror, His body is twisted with pain because of sin – His hands are open even on the cross. He is extremely uncomfortable. The week before our Lord dies He was welcomed into Jerusalem by the masses waving palms, but on the cross He is alone and abandoned in this moment of desolation, but God is present and the Glory of God is in the Glory of the Cross.

As we sit or kneel in the Church and look at the crucifix we can reflect on the many symbols intertwined in its creation.

The PALM BRANCHES represent the “hosanna” in our lives; the joys we experience when we welcome the Lord in our own “Jerusalem”. “Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit…” (1 Cor 6:19-20)

We see OUR LORD’S BODY despised, disfigured and a thing of horror, as he suffers, His body twists with pain but in the midst of this His arms are opened to embrace us with His love. We may be going through challenges in our lives but we should know the love of God is with us. “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest”. (Mt 11:28ff)

The ROSE represents the love that awaits us; for it is stronger than the thorns that cause pain along the way. “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18ff)

The GOLD background reminds us that behind the passion and death of Christ, is the presence of God’s glory revealed to us through the resurrection.”… ‘Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your Son, so that the Son, may give glory to you.’”(John 17:1ff)

May the glory of God shine upon us as we place all our hope and trust in Him.