Hail the Cross!

During my college studies, I attended schools that were sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross. The religious priests and brothers of this congregation bring hope to their centers of education, parish life, and missionary work. This is symbolized by the cross and anchors that emblazon signs and buildings, as well as the medallions worn by these hope-filled men.

Most telling is the motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Beneath the cross and anchors appears in Latin, "Ave Crux, Spes Unica." That is, "Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope."

On this Good Friday, all of us can once more make these words our own. "Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope." On this sacred and solemn day, we remember the profound fidelity of Jesus to his mission. We commemorate the love that drove Jesus to confront the powers of death which oppose life and goodness. Jesus carries the sins of the world and reverses the fate of sinners. The Cross is the symbol of the victory of mercy.

Yet, if we are to follow the Cross of Christ, if we are to proclaim "Ave Crux, Spes Unica," then we must also realize that we cannot place our hope in anything else.

The Jewish religious leaders condemned one of their own. Likewise, in our own day, our religious institutions at times have gravely failed us. The governor Pontius Pilate acted unjustly and with fear by sentencing Jesus to death. So too do we see the political leaders and governments of our time failing to lead. The Roman soldiers tortured the innocent man. This impulse to violence and power is readily seen in ourselves and within our own society. Judas the Iscariot betrayed Jesus; Peter denied him.  All abandoned him, except Mary of Cleopas, Magdalena, and his mother. Certainly, we also know full well the sting of betrayal, hurt, abandonment, and disappointments in our own lives.

Only the Cross of Christ can bring us true hope. In the Cross, we encounter the most selfless gift of love. In the Cross, we see God's solidarity with our own weakness and suffering. In the Cross, we experience the promise of eternal newness and life.

This is a day of hope. Despite the currents of fear, anxiety, and death, we look to the Cross as our sign of hope... indeed, our only hope. No longer can we place our hope in the passing things of this world. Rather, we look to those which endure. We look to the love of God in Jesus that is faithful to the end. So with faith and confidence, let us sing and shout: "Ave Crux, Spes Unica!" "Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope!"