The message of the cross seems foolish to those who are lost and dying. But it is God’s power to us who are being saved. (1 Corinthians 1:18, NRSV)
Like almost everyone else, I’ve been spending a lot more time in my home office this past year, which also means I’ve been looking at my cross collection a lot more, too. It’s certainly not unusual for a pastor to have a bunch of crosses on her wall, but, in my case, I’m drawn to crosses that are made of materials that have been cast aside. There is a cross made of coils from a car engine. A cross made up of broken pencils. A cross made from a fallen tree near a lake where I spent a lot of time as a child. I have nothing against crosses gilded with gold in large cathedrals, but I like the stories my cast-aside crosses tell.
We’re about ready to enter into Holy Week where the cross will be front and center. We may be so used to this central symbol of our faith that it loses its impact, but I would encourage you to take time either on your own or during one of our services to reflect on the nature of the cross. It drew people together who were cast aside by society and its message seemed rife with foolishness to early opponents of the faith. That message still rings true today.
There is power and redemption in this foundational symbol, especially for those who feel cast aside by society. May you draw comfort if you are one of those people and may the cross inspire you to be alongside those who are.