A Few Reflections on the Cross
An African Good Friday Benediction by Bishop Emmanuel Koliny of Rwanda:
Minister: All our problems . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All our difficulties . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All the devil's work . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All our hopes . . .
People: We set on the risen Christ!
Minister: Christ, the Son of Righteousness, shine upon you
and scatter the darkness from before your path:
and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you, forever and ever.
Amen.
A Good Friday reflection by Richard John Nehaus:
Many years later, I was on a program with a famous evangelist from California who had built a huge cathedral designed by a famous architect. He said there had been a debate about whether the cathedral should have a cross.
Some people thought the cross an excessively gloomy symbol.
"I said that of course there will be a cross," declared the famous evangelist. "The cross is the sign of Christianity and we're a Christian Church.
"Then he paused and announced with a triumphant smile, "But I can tell you that there's nothing downbeat about the cross at the Crystal Cathedral."
An upbeat cross?
Back in Pembroke, a Wesleyan church visited by our elementary school class had in large letters above the communion table, "He is not here. He is risen."
Yes, I thought, he was not there.
Minister: All our problems . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All our difficulties . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All the devil's work . . .
People: We send them to the cross of Christ!
Minister: All our hopes . . .
People: We set on the risen Christ!
Minister: Christ, the Son of Righteousness, shine upon you
and scatter the darkness from before your path:
and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you, forever and ever.
Amen.
A Good Friday reflection by Richard John Nehaus:
Many years later, I was on a program with a famous evangelist from California who had built a huge cathedral designed by a famous architect. He said there had been a debate about whether the cathedral should have a cross.
Some people thought the cross an excessively gloomy symbol.
"I said that of course there will be a cross," declared the famous evangelist. "The cross is the sign of Christianity and we're a Christian Church.
"Then he paused and announced with a triumphant smile, "But I can tell you that there's nothing downbeat about the cross at the Crystal Cathedral."
An upbeat cross?
Back in Pembroke, a Wesleyan church visited by our elementary school class had in large letters above the communion table, "He is not here. He is risen."
Yes, I thought, he was not there.
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