Have you ever wondered why the Catholic Church uses a crucifix as a symbol as opposed to other Christian churches that use an empty cross? It is common to hear from those outside the Church that He is risen, but we “leave Him hanging there” or that the crucifix reduces the power of the Resurrection. Also, the crucifix is often thought of as gruesome or morbid. These misconceptions are due to a lack of understanding of what the crucifix actually means to us as Catholics.

Jesus is not “left on the cross” but rather his saving love is displayed.  Jesus died for our sins out of love is the central message of a crucifix.  The centrality of this to the mission of Jesus on earth is mentioned several times in the New Testament:

For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. . . (1 Cor. 1:23)

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. (Jn. 3:14-16)

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you. (Lk. 22:19-20)

God could have chosen any method for the redemption of humanity.  In his desire that humanity should know the depravity of sin and the depths of God’s love he chose to die on the cross.  Displaying a crucifix does not in any way deny the resurrection of Jesus.  After all, do faith communities that display only a cross want to downplay the sufferings of Jesus?  Of course not, it is just a different preference of emphasis.  In the Catholic Church the crucifix has been the traditional sign and statement of our faith in God’s love and mercy.  It reminds us that Jesus never promised his followers an easy life (Matt. 16:24) but that if we join our sufferings to his, we too we ultimately triumph as he did.

There is, or should be, a large crucifix in every Catholic Church in a central location over the altar. When you have a proper understanding of the Mass – that it is a re-presentation of the sacrifice Jesus made on Calvary – then it makes sense that we have a powerful visual reminder of what is taking place. When the priest raises the Blessed Sacrament and says “This is my body…” we, in the pews, can actually see Christ’s body. Then when he raises the chalice and says, “This is my blood…” we can see His blood. The Catholic Church emphasizes art and imagery because it helps stir the imagination and assist in elevating the heart and soul to the truths the images contain. So, during the consecration of the Eucharist, we can look at the crucifix to inspire our hearts and minds to see the reality of what is taking place on the altar at that moment. At Corpus Christi and many other parishes, there is a crucifix on the altar facing the priest. This serves as a visual aid for the priest so that he may also engage his faculties in the realities that are taking place through his hands. The Mass is a sacrifice and the crucifix is a representation of that sacrifice. Also, consider that upon entering a Catholic Church, Jesus is stretching His arms wide to welcome you into this holy place.

To be Continued….