Looking for the Cross

During the Veneration of the Cross at the Good Friday Liturgy, several years ago, there was a striking scene at my church.  This part of the liturgy can be a very moving experience in itself as people of different ages, walks of life, social and economic backgrounds come forward and offer some gesture of reverence to a wooden cross and the love of God that it represents.

This particular Good Friday I was watching people wait in line and then affectionately touche or kiss the cross, when a elderly blind man grabbed my attention as he stood waiting.  I assume the woman that lead him by the arm was a family member, probably a daughter, and the two of them patiently waited.  She would gently guide him one step at a time as the line slowly crept forward.  Finally it was his turn and the woman whispered in his ear.  His hands came forward, floundering in midair grasping and seeking for the small wood cross that was held before him.  There was an instant look of peace as his hands found the cross and he drew it to his lips to give it a kiss.

Now there is the obvious theme of being blind in darkness and receiving the light of faith, but that is not what struck me.   Here was a man impaired by his blindness.   I don't know for sure but considering the fact that he was elderly, I would guess that at some point in his life he either gradually or suddenly lost his sight.  How devastating that must have been!   I can only imagine a sense of grief and loss that I would feel if some day I realized that I would never again see a sunset or gaze upon the face of a love one.

This man's faith propelled him forward.   He sought the Cross.   For him, the Cross was a source of consolation.   The suffering of the Cross brought him peace.  Now I don't know for sure what he was thinking, to me it looked as if by embracing and kissing the cross, he was embracing and kissing a friend that understood, who had been there with him in his loss and suffering.  A friend who gets it and has a form of compassion that can only come because he has been there too.   This Good Friday was not the first time this blind man found the Cross.   He had found it years ago as he went through his own crosses.  And he found the Man that hung on the Cross was with him and his cross.

There have been times in my life that were periods of the cross.  I am in no way saying I handled these time gracefully and with joy, but looking back I can clearly see God presence.  His hand reached down from his cross to take my head and be with me in my cross.   He has lead me through deserts just so I can know his love and be with him.

God is reaching down to each of us in our challenges, suffering and crosses.   And he says, "I get it.   Let me be your companion and strength.   I will never leave you as long as you let me in."

Why do we worship?   We worship because there is a God who is willing to be with us in our suffering, so we can know how far he is willing to go to show us his love.   He is willing to die on the Cross just so he can be with us even in our suffering.