Many non-Catholic Christians disdain the crucifix because they think it distracts from our Lord’s victory over sin and death. They prefer the bare cross, which they think better reflects the victory of his subsequent resurrection, whereas a crucifix can seem to point to the apparent defeat of his death — or, worse, perhaps even indicate that Jesus somehow still suffers for us, as the sacrifice of the Mass is not infrequently misunderstood as the re-crucifixion of Jesus.
St. Paul Knows Better
St. Paul has a both/and better idea. He knows that the Resurrection is an indispensable aspect of Christ’s one Paschal Sacrifice (1 Cor. 15:12-18). Yet, he also knows that Christ’s crucifixion illustrates how much Jesus loves us in atoning for our sins (John 15:13; see Heb. 9:11-14), and that the Lord’s embracing his own Cross—the Cross—would help us better understand the call to carry our own (Matt. 16:24-26).
In addition, Paul understands that a crucifix itself symbolizes Christ’s victory over sin, death, and the devil; and it also shows that we need a Savior and therefore, by extension, our need to repent and become his disciples:
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. . . .
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Cor. 1:22-25, 2:2).
Jesus concurs: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” which he proclaims at the beginning of his public ministry (Matt. 3:17), and, along with apostles, thereafter.
The Crucifix
These truths help explain why the crucifix—and not simply a bare cross—is the most universally recognized symbol of Catholicism. As a cradle Catholic, I was blessed to “get it,” understanding that the crucifixes in my classrooms were reminders I was at a Catholic school, and that crucifixes at home, church, and elsewhere were frequent and helpful reminders about Christ’s loving triumph on our behalf—and how he remains with us on our journey to heaven. For this and other reasons, I am grateful that I could attend St. Mary of Redford Grade School in Detroit, Michigan, and Fr. Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Giving Witness
Today’s First Reading is thus good preparation for Holy Week, including as a reminder that we indeed are not alone in giving witness to the Gospel, including when we suffer because our mere holiness convicts people who don’t appreciate the implicit and/or explicit call for their own repentance, regardless of how charitably we share the gospel:
For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience (Wis 2:17-18).
Jesus lives out these words in the New Covenant, enduring mockery from the very people he came to save:
Those passing by reviled him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, [and] come down from the cross!” Likewise, the chief priests with the scribes and elders mocked him and said, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. So, he is the king of Israel! Let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he wants him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” The revolutionaries who were crucified with him also kept abusing him in the same way (Matt. 27:39-44).
Our Lord has travelled this road before us. Let us persevere, with his support, because he is trustworthy (Matt. 6:33; Rom. 8:28).
