Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’ (Matt 16.24)

May the power of the cross

Inspire us to endure the harsh realities of life

And to see through them

To the bright vision of a world transformed

By the power of God’s love.

Amen

I have always loved the powerful image of Valesquez’s painting of The Crucifixion. Jesus’ lifeless body on the cross literally glows. Although dead upon the cross, there is a serenity yet power in Jesus that the surrounding darkness cannot overcome. The contradiction that Jesus’ horrific death on the cross could be so beautiful. That in the midst of the darkness, a light shines.

The painting captures the fundamental contradiction of Christianity. We gain life, light and happiness not by avoiding the sufferings and crosses of daily life, but if fact by – as Jesus did – embracing them. 

Over the last year, if actually feels like the whole world community has been walking with Jesus along the road to Calvary. Coronavirus, lockdowns, conflicts within and between nations, natural disasters. An endless list of Crosses accompany our life’s journey.

On Good Friday, we are asked to embrace the contradiction, and take up our cross, just as Jesus did. To believe that new life will come again, not by avoiding or ignoring these ‘crosses’ but rather in and through the difficulties that life imposes upon us. May we take the opportunity of the silence, stillness and emptiness of Good Friday to discover the light that shines within and through the darkness of the Cross.

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