Lift High the Cross!

The most painful and gruesome way to ever be executed was crucifixion. Usually the "criminal" was "softened up" by beating and whipping, so that hanging to die on the cross would be even more painful. Nails were hammered into their hands or wrists and their ankles or feet to support their whole body weight. "Criminals" would try to support themselves for as long as they could by putting all of their weight on their ankles or feet. When they were in this position they could breathe. But, as you may be able to imagine, the pain from all of one's weight pressed upon one's feet with nails in them was excruciating. So, the "criminal" would drop to take the pain off of their feet or ankles for a while. Then all of their weight and most of the pain would be transferred to their wrists and hands. The trouble was, that hanging by ones hands and arms would close off their windpipe and their lungs and they would begin to suffocate. In order to catch their breath they would have to push themselves up again by their feet. This circuit of unbearable pain would continue until the "criminal" could no longer push themselves up by their feet anymore. They would die by suffocation. Sometimes this process would last for more than a day. Sometimes, it would last only a few hours. Much of the time it took to die, depended on how much torture the "criminal" was made to endure before the nails were hammered into their joints and the cross was erected.

The most embarrassing way to die in public was the crucifix. Crucifixions were done near the most heavily traveled roads into town so that as many people as possible could see one die. Our crucifixes have Jesus wearing a loin cloth. It is most probable that Jesus and others who were crucified were hung to die naked. So, try to imagine being naked in front of every person coming into and leaving town for the most important religious holy day of the year. Also, try to imagine being naked and in unimaginable pain in front of thousands on religious pilgrims.

This pain and embarrassment was designed by the Romans to be painful and embarrassing on purpose. Crucifixion was enforced in order to send a message to the public; "If you try to do what this criminal did, then this will be your fate!"

This weekend we celebrate a very special feast, The Exaltation of the Cross. This feast is special not because of the pain and embarrassment that Jesus Christ had to go through in order to die. This feast is special because of WHY He chose to go through this horrible pain and embarrassment. He chose to show us how much He and His Father loves us and how much he wants to show us His and His Father's mercy.

The Cross of Jesus Christ is exalted as a symbol of Love Divine.

Each one of us is invited today and this week to thank God for the lengths He has gone to show us His Love Divine. And of course the most effective way to show appreciation for God's love is to try to imitate His Love and Mercy in our own lives to the people in our lives and in our world who need to know and see it.

peace,
Fr. Chuck