Triumph of the Holy Cross, a feast, reading the history of this holy day makes me consider the power of this instrument of death used upon non-Roman citizens: the pain, the humiliation in public, the suffering. And that God choose to accept this path to demonstrate His love, His grace, His mercy.
I wear a crucifix, under my shirt. I sometimes smile when i see others wearing one displayed; often it is rather large, me thinks. People with a message, i smile and i confess this smile is too often embarrassment.
Faith is something private, i was told. In the multicultural society, if we all ran around wearing our faith on our sleeves it would make for much conflict, i was told. It would attract much unwanted attention. What would be my motivation to wear such a device publicly displayed?
"Archbishop Smith said that although Sikhs and Muslims had successfully used the law to uphold a right to manifest their beliefs in such areas as religious attire and jewelry, Christians were denied the same right because the courts had decided that it was not essential to the practice of their faith.
“Why can’t Christians wear the symbol of the cross?” he asked in an interview with the American Catholic News Service.
“It is absolutely part of the Gospel,” he said. “Without the cross there is no salvation. It is at the heart of our faith because it is the symbol and sign of God’s unconditional love.” (http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2011/09/09/judges-are-biased-against-christians-says-archbishop/
If one wears a cross and behaves badly in public, swearing, aggressive, what have you, i wince and am temped to say something. But i don't, because that would be like me pointing out the sliver of wood in another's eye and being blind to the beam in my own!
When one lights a candle one does not hide the light under the bed, but rather puts it where all can see. "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vesselor sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. (Lk 8:16-17)
Perhaps my public behaviour, my actions, need to speak louder than words, than signs and symbols?
Hidden under my shirt, close to my heart, my cross is an ever present reminder to think before acting, to be charitable and forgiving and to pray. If it is a yolk, then it is one i have gladly chosen to carry. Why would i worry about professing this faith in public?
Anyway, having a halo glowing around my head and i walked about would be far more embarrassing ...
I wear a crucifix, under my shirt. I sometimes smile when i see others wearing one displayed; often it is rather large, me thinks. People with a message, i smile and i confess this smile is too often embarrassment.
Faith is something private, i was told. In the multicultural society, if we all ran around wearing our faith on our sleeves it would make for much conflict, i was told. It would attract much unwanted attention. What would be my motivation to wear such a device publicly displayed?
"Archbishop Smith said that although Sikhs and Muslims had successfully used the law to uphold a right to manifest their beliefs in such areas as religious attire and jewelry, Christians were denied the same right because the courts had decided that it was not essential to the practice of their faith.
“Why can’t Christians wear the symbol of the cross?” he asked in an interview with the American Catholic News Service.
“It is absolutely part of the Gospel,” he said. “Without the cross there is no salvation. It is at the heart of our faith because it is the symbol and sign of God’s unconditional love.” (http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2011/09/09/judges-are-biased-against-christians-says-archbishop/
If one wears a cross and behaves badly in public, swearing, aggressive, what have you, i wince and am temped to say something. But i don't, because that would be like me pointing out the sliver of wood in another's eye and being blind to the beam in my own!
When one lights a candle one does not hide the light under the bed, but rather puts it where all can see. "No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vesselor sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light. (Lk 8:16-17)
Perhaps my public behaviour, my actions, need to speak louder than words, than signs and symbols?
Hidden under my shirt, close to my heart, my cross is an ever present reminder to think before acting, to be charitable and forgiving and to pray. If it is a yolk, then it is one i have gladly chosen to carry. Why would i worry about professing this faith in public?
Anyway, having a halo glowing around my head and i walked about would be far more embarrassing ...
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