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The other day, I was “shouted” at online over a post where I had used a picture of a crucifix.
“GET HIM OFF THE CROSS, HE’S ALIVE! We worship a living God.”
A few things…
First, no Catholic on earth thinks we worship a dead God. I’m fairly certain on that, because what would be the point?
Second, Catholics use both crucifixes and crosses. For example, as I was visiting the interior of Turkey, I got to see how many of the earliest Christians lived. Here and there, you could find places where they had carved crosses in the mounds of volcanic rock. And they were also painting what you see here. This painting is from a monastery founded by St. Basil, who was around in the 300s. I don’t know exactly when this was painted, but it ain’t new.
Depictions of Christ on the Cross and crucifixes have been apart of our faith for millennia, longer than any Protestant use of strictly a simple cross.
Third, every Mass is a re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. Christ, through the person of the priest, re-presents in an unbloody manner, His Body and Blood to the Father and then we participate in Holy Communion. The crucifixes hanging up in our Catholic Churches are a visual for what is actually happening.
Fourth, it reminds us of what discipleship looks like. I read today, “Just as the truth of Jesus is found only in the cross, so is the secret of discipleship. To be a follower of Jesus is to share intimately in His life and destiny.” As Christians, we will suffer, just like Christ.
Fifth, the cross is not our salvation. Christ ON the cross is the source of our salvation. Other people died on crosses in the ancient word, they did not save mankind. We need to be reminded of what Our Lord did for us.
Sixth, we are humans beings who experience the world through our senses. I need to see what my salvation cost. Yes, we worship a living God who conquered death, but I need to be reminded of what nailed Christ to the Cross—my sins. Each time I look, I am humbled and resolved to strive for holiness.
There are many reasons why crucifixes are apart of our faith life, Catholic Pilgrims, and none of it has to do with denying that God is a living God.
Have a blessed Tuesday.
ITALY PILGRIMAGE
‘Journey with the Saints’
OCTOBER 23-31, 2023
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Day Nine of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Today's Location: US NAVAL ACADEMY I've realized that I'm a mid-sized town gal and Annapolis definitely appealed to me. Annapolis is home to the Naval Academy, which I got to visit in 2022. We have two Catholic connections. 1. This gate that you see here is named after Commodore John Barry who was a devout Irish Catholic. He died long before the Academy came around, but he was personally chosen by George Washington to be the very first commissioned officer and first flag officer of the permanent U.S. Navy. 2. If you visit the Naval Academy Chapel there is a basement where you will find a Blessed Sacrament room. It is in honor of Servant of God Father Capodonna, the "Grunt" padre that was killed in Vietnam on September 4, 1967. Every September there is a Mass said in his honor in the chapel. Even though my hubby is an Airman, I am the granddaughter of a WWII Navy vet. While my grandfather did not attend here, it was still special for me to visit. I highly recommend Annapolis, Catholic Pilgrims, and if you are able to be cleared onto the Academy, I would encourage you visit. The grounds are beautiful. Live the Faith boldly and travel well!
Continue ReadingDay Seven of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Our feature for today: NIAGRA FALLS Anybody wanna hop back and forth between borders? The Falls are nearly almost divided in half between Canada and the US. Now, I've never been, so this isn't my photo, but I'm guessing this was taken from the Canadian side. Maybe? But what, Amy, is the Catholic connection, you ask? Well, these Falls were first documented in the 17th century by a Belgium monk named Father Louis Hennepin. He was a Franciscan missionary and his documentation really was his claim to fame. He explored lots of other territory in what would become the United States, but he often embellished his stories and this got him into some trouble. However, he did make an "engraving of the Falls of Niagara. It is out of proportion, but its general features give an accurate idea of the appearance of the Falls at his time." I do hope to go to the Falls someday and apparently in the surrounding area, both in Canada and Buffalo, NY, there are some excellent Catholic Churches to visit. Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims!
Continue ReadingDay Five of US landmarks and Catholic connections in our lead up to America's 250th Birthday. Today's landmark: CENTRAL PARK Why does my picture from 2005 look ancient? In 2005 my family visited NY after attending a graduation for my husband's cousin in Connecticut. This is me with my oldest (now 24 years old) at the famous Bethesda Terrace with the Angel of the Waters Fountain. The Pool of Bethesda, if you'll recall from the Bible, was a famous healing site in Jerusalem. The Jews believed that an angel stirred up the water and when it was stirred up, whoever got in first would be healed. So, we have a Biblical connection here. Another one is that Pope John Paul II said Mass on the Great Lawn on October 7th, 1995 for a crowd of over 125,000. Also, one of our most visited Catholic Churches sits just south of Central Park and that is, you guessed it, St. Patrick's Cathedral. Archbishop John Hughes (1797–1864), was one of the most famous Catholics in NY history. He was around when Central Park was being created. He was the first archbishop of NY, when it became elevated to an archdiocese. So, there's your Monday morning Catholic history lesson! Live the Faith boldly and travel well, Catholic Pilgrims.
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