St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Jesus reconciled both Jews and gentiles to God in one body through the cross (Eph.2:16). Cross which was till then an instrument for punishment was made an instrument for Salvation by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hence we don't consider Cross as some dagger with which one's father was killed, but as an instrument used for our salvation. Jesus accepted the cross and death by himself (Jn. 10:15,18). He could have very well escaped from death. But his love for us compelled him to accept the cross (Jn.13:1). The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep (Jn.10:11). Thus the cross became the symbol of God's love for us. A knife could be used for an operation as well as for a murder. But when it is used for an operation, we don't consider it an instrument of contempt. An instrument in itself is neither good or bad, it is the use that makes the difference.

'The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to his right hand to be prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:30-31; 2:23-24). Only through cross salvation is attained (Mk. 10:45). "Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mk. 8:34). But, 'the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. but to us who are being saved, it is power of God" (1 Cor. 1 :18). Baptism is seen a participation in Jesus' death and resurrection, a death to our sins and a resurrection to a new life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-9). So let us be proud of Jesus' cross (GaI. 6:14). Only those who are destined for destruction can hate Jesus' cross. 'They are the enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame - who set their mind in earthly things (Phil. 3:18-19)