Today is the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross. Most of us think of its historical side, of St. Helen, the mother of St. Constantine making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 325 and having a hand in identifying the true Cross. But, my mind has wandered in a different direction, and that was to the Cross’ place in our life. And, the question that popped into my mind was, “How big is your Cross?”
You see, for many people, the Cross is only the instrument of our salvation, and only that. When we talk of the transforming power of the Cross, all too often we mean only the personal and individual transformation from death to life. I must admit, that is an extremely powerful transformation. After all, for someone dead in their sins to be given life through the Cross is an incredible expression of divine power.
And, yet, the claim of Scripture is that the Cross did not simply transform the individual, but the Creation itself. St. Paul says that the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s children (Rom. 8:19). And this is in the middle of a passage which talks about the forgiveness of our sins and our adoption as sons of God. That is, the Cross has implications that are much larger than our personal salvation, “indeed we share in his suffering in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Is your Cross big enough to allow you to share in Christ’s sufferings? Are you willing, as St. Paul was, to suffer hardship and persecution in order that people may come to know the Father? But, much more than that, are you willing to live the lifestyle of the Cross in order that Christ may be revealed in you and healing brought not simply to individuals but to Creation itself? Do you see the Cross as bringing you into the new community, and that new community as eventually leading to the new heavens and the new earth? Can you see the Cross as having an impact not only on human history but on Creation itself?
How big is your Cross?
Not big enough.