WE ANNOUNCE A CRUCIFIED CHRIST

III SUNDAY OF LENT - 1 Corinthians 1:22-25

The cross is still well visible in many public spaces, despite a concerted effort to banish it from the public sphere. Such an attitude comes from a clear attempt to reduce any religious practice to the privacy of one’s heart. The ideologues of the current political and social trends give as a reason for the banishment of the cross the respect we should have for those who may feel offended. In the end, it is a rejection of the values it represents. The cross always directs our minds to Christ. And most of the times, we use the crucifix, that is the cross with Jesus Christ crucified on it. The rejection of the cross is a rejection of Christ and a society rooted in Christ. 

Pursuing happiness at all costs, we do not want to be reminded of suffering and death. We are convinced that nothing is impossible if we are single-minded and try hard. All our dreams can be fulfilled, achieving excellence and overcoming all difficulties. However, the cross comes to remind us of that fallacy. We are mortal and, sooner or later, we’ll have to carry our cross. The cross of Christ gives meaning to our own crosses. 

In Roman times, the crucifixion was the capital punishment inflicted on slaves and all those who were not Roman citizens. For the high class of the Roman society, the crucifixion was shameful and the word cross was an insult. Then, it is not surprising that Jesus’ crucifixion was “a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Co 1:23). How could he be the Messiah? How could he be the Son of God, dying like a criminal, abandoned and cursed by God? It is not surprising that groups have appeared who deny the crucifixion. For instance, Islam claims that Jesus was spared the punishment of the cross and that someone else looking like him was crucified in his place. However, the truth is that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate and we cannot proclaim his resurrection without affirming his death on the cross as well. He shed his blood for us and offered himself in sacrifice for the remission of sins. The Son of God took a human body and carried on his shoulders the full weight of our sin. He assumed the human condition, and “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Fil 2:7). Then, by his resurrection, he elevated our humanity to the glory of God.

We cannot proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ without preaching the “crucified Christ”. Paul refuses to do that and he makes it very clear that for those who are called and believe the Crucified Christ “is the power and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” (1 Co 1:24-25). The cross of Christ forces us to have our feet on the ground and to become aware of God’s presence and care in the most difficult moments of our life. We will be one with the risen Lord Jesus Christ only if we are one with Him carrying the cross and dying with him.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

  they gladden the heart.

The command of the Lord is clear,

  it gives light to the eyes. (Ps 19:8).