Then all the lights come on and, seemingly from every corner, come women with pots of flowers. As they construct a sea of blooms around altar a banner unfurls in the back of the Church with huge letters: Worthy is the LAMB!
Bells jangle and we all burst into the Gloria in Excelsis.
Tears generally flow copiously.
I think this about the crucifix. It's dynamic. That is it points ahead to the empty tomb. But it also points at us in 2 ways. (1)This is how much He loves you. (2)If you are suffering, He is with you.
You know as a counsellor, that while it's good sometimes to place things in context, to say, "You will be healed, you will get better, this will resolve," Often the first thing to say (and we say it mostly by listening) is, "Yes, you are suffering greatly. I am here with you. I will hear all the details of your suffering. I won't tell you to shape up or that there are others who suffer more. I won't try to 'fix' you. I will be with you where you are."
So that is part of what the crucifix says to me.
The trail has been blazed, and Jesus Himself walks with us as we stagger up Golgotha, and He will continue to walk with us THROUGH (apparent) defeat to obvious victory.
Sounds gloriously impressive.
I think you know I respect your spirituality a lot.
One of your better ones. :-)
And lest we forget: we who are the Body of Christ, member for member, suffer in and with and through Him until He comes in Glory.
“Take up your cross and follow Me”.