It's somewhat Pollyannish to say, "Christianity is just about the Resurrection, and not the Cross." To say that is to deny the gritty evil in the world. But once you get past childhood and start reading serious books and watching more sophisticated films, you find people desperately wrestling with evil. That's what any serious novel, film, or play is about. Just look at any of Shakespeare's plays--there's always someone engaging profound evil. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to say, "Let's not focus on the Cross; it's too sad, too dark, too evil."
Pressing the issue theologically, what is the Cross? It's God journey into God-forsakenness. God enters into human dysfunction in all of its forms. In the Passion narratives you have cruelty, violence, hatred, injustice, stupidity--all of human dysfunction is on display. And Jesus enters into that, thereby redeeming it.
The Church fathers liked to say, "What has not been assumed has not been saved." Jesus assumes the human condition in all of its dysfunction, going all the way down, so to say. And it's only for that reason he can bring us all the way up.
The Resurrection without the Cross is superficial, just as the Cross without the Resurrection is despair. It's the play between the two that matters.
Pressing the issue theologically, what is the Cross? It's God journey into God-forsakenness. God enters into human dysfunction in all of its forms. In the Passion narratives you have cruelty, violence, hatred, injustice, stupidity--all of human dysfunction is on display. And Jesus enters into that, thereby redeeming it.
The Church fathers liked to say, "What has not been assumed has not been saved." Jesus assumes the human condition in all of its dysfunction, going all the way down, so to say. And it's only for that reason he can bring us all the way up.
The Resurrection without the Cross is superficial, just as the Cross without the Resurrection is despair. It's the play between the two that matters.
~ Father Robert Barron
http://www.lentreflections.com/why-focus-on-the-cross/
I made this little piece awhile back, and it hangs next to our front door. Symbolism abounds:
- the color red = the blood of Christ
- dried rosebuds = the five petals of the rose symbolic of the five wounds of Christ - enclosed beneath the crucified Christ (a vintage remnant, sans cross, from an ebay lot of religious medals)
- which I nailed to the wooden support = the cross itself
- (freshwater) pearl - symbolic of Godly wisdom
I assembled it all on the back side of a small stretched canvas (4x5"), which I painted and distressed, then added mica, fiber and metal.
***
For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten Son
that whomsoever believes in him
shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
***
Linking up with
A very meaningful piece. So good to have you back.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. The red drop if blood caught my eye immediately. How oerfect to have it by the door.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see your work Cindy, a wonderful piece. Happy Easter
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece of art...with so much meaning! Last December I read a book by Donald Miller, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." Donald Miller loves the components of story. He states that without conflict, a movie in the theater would be boring and we would walk out. The resurrection is not the resurrection without the agony of the cross. It is at the cross...the closer we get to the cross...that we are forced to face ourselves. Read my blog post today! I could not agree more with your sentiments! Wonderful post. Have a blessed Easter...Sunday has come!
ReplyDeletelove your blog and art. thank you!
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