We all know that Lent is a time for fundamental faith reflection. What is sometimes underappreciated during the reflection process is that what we reflect on during Lent has meaning for our lives during the entire Church year.

For example, during Lent we concentrate on the cross, the symbol of our redemption. We celebrate Good Friday with great solemnity and profound gratitude.

Most importantly, we consciously choose to open ourselves to the meaning of the cross and allow it to touch every dimension of our lives. The question is how do we extend our Lenten reflection on the cross throughout the Church year? I offer this reflection on the cross to help people answer that question.

The cross as symbol

By definition a symbol is any reality that by its own power leads us to another deeper reality through a sharing in the dynamism the symbol itself offers. The power of a symbol is that it speaks to the heart and the imagination.

Symbols do not just point to the signified, they re-present the signified. They carry meaning and values in themselves and can evoke affective and cognitive responses in people. A symbol can communicate opposite meanings at the same time e.g. the cross in the Christian tradition symbolises both death and resurrection to the believer.

History has proven that simple people who are unable to articulate an explanation of a symbol's meaning can have a very profound affective allegiance to the symbol, which brings deep meaning to their lives. No logical challenge from others will change their allegiance to the symbol.

The cross in scripture

The heart of Paul's preaching is Christ crucified (1 Cor 1: 23; 2: 2) He boasts of Christ's cross in which God's salvific power was present and through which God effected reconciliation for all people. (Gal 6: 14 ; 1 Cor 1 17; Col 1: 20 )

Paul's teaching was in stark contrast to the common view of the crucifixion at the time of Christ's death. The cross was a symbol of shame and disgrace that scandalised even the pagans (Gal 5: 11 ; Phil 2: 8; Heb 12: 2).

In the New Testament the cross symbolises both the act of redemption and the imitation of Christ. The followers of Christ are asked to take up their own crosses daily (Mt 10: 38 ; Mk 8: 34 ; Lk 9: 13 ; 14: 27 ).

Issues for reflection

Biblical scholars and theologians who have written extensively on the cross raise some questions and suggest some themes that can help us with our own reflection:

1) The cross communicates a contradiction: How could an instrument of death be a sign of life?

2) It is a paradox of Christian faith that such a sign of ignominious death could reveal the divinity of a human person;

3) The cross reminds the believer that God saves through the cross;

4) Belief in the message of the cross allows believers to face their own crosses with equanimity and trust in the power of God.

5) The cross reveals the depth of God's love for all people;

6) The cross offers freedom from selfishness;

7) The cross means reconciling with God and neighbour;

8) The cross means renewing life in this world and finding eternal life;

9) The cross is the means of modelling Jesus;

10) The mark of a true disciple is to carry one's cross.

The cross and spirituality

A consistent theme of spirituality that is addressed by Christian writers is martyrdom. It is understood as the highest perfection of the Christian life.

To die for the faith is considered to be an act of perfect charity. The greatest act of love in the life of Christ was his death on the cross. “ There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends ” (Jn 15:13 ).

We should never be ashamed of the cross. While it was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles, for us who are saved, it is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor 1: 18 , 23).

The opposite of charity is selfishness. Therefore, to make progress in the spiritual life we must continually challenge the self: self-love, self will and self interest. “ If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross and begin to follow in my footstep s” (Mt 16, 24).

One of the most practical tests of our acceptance of the teaching on the cross is how we relate to crosses that are beyond our control. In self-imposed practices of fasting, penance and almsgiving, there is always the possibility that self-will is present.

However, in crosses that are beyond our control e.g. illness or suffering from the actions of others, there is little danger of self-will. The question is do we accept the cross with peace.

From the life of Christ and the way chosen by God to effect our salvation, it is quite clear that Christians cannot pursue holiness if the cross and pain endured for the love of Christ are deliberately excluded from their lives. There is no holiness without renunciation and the spiritual battle. ( CCC , N. 2015)

Conclusion

Our memory of the meaning of the cross is kept alive and active through the celebration of the Eucharist which makes present the sacrifice of the cross on the altar, through contemplation of the image of a crucifix (a cross bearing the image of Christ) and by the frequent and conscious use of the sign of the cross during liturgical and private prayer.

While our concentration on the meaning of the cross may peak during Lent, the message of the cross must be at the heart of our spirituality all the days of our lives.