The Sunday of the Cross is celebrated today. The Cross is called in Byzantine hymnography, the “invisible trophy” –THE symbol of triumph over sin and death. Sr. Vassa does a good job in explaining how the cross of Jesus “works” in our theology. The cross is often misunderstood and abused by both Christians and non-Christians alike due to a profound ignorance in what is revealed as the Cross of Christ.
Today, our liturgical and theological vision of this Sunday has us in the middle of the Lenten season: precisely, the cross stands is positioned in the middle of the church as a stark reminder that the cross is key in our redemption (salvation). It is not primarily our work BUT Jesus’ work that saves us. A secondary theme for today is taken from a statement of the Lord’s: “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Mt 10:38). Have you taken up your cross for the sake of your own salvation, yet?
Sr. Vassa has good catechesis on the cross for this weekend. Watch her video here.
The Kontakion reads for today:
Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Paradise; it has been mysteriously quenched by the wood of the Cross! The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished; for You, O my Savior, did come and cry to those in hell: “Enter again into Paradise.”