tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post4553559028258579801..comments2024-03-17T22:48:00.427+08:00Comments on Reflections and Ruminations: Easter's empty tomb is not incongruent with a Crucifix that has a corpus.Fr Luke Fonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03079016104331055895noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7853204965986587589.post-87775908976945642682018-04-10T01:22:44.598+08:002018-04-10T01:22:44.598+08:00“The truth is that Easter’s triumph gives us all t...“The truth is that Easter’s triumph gives us all the more reason to carry our Crosses …………… well by constantly casting an eye on an image of Jesus dying to show us his undying love.”<br /><br /><br />The empty tomb is Easter’s triumph. I remember how happily I used to encourage the little children in my Catechism classes to colour the tomb in their Workbook, in a bright array of colours, reflecting the joy of the Risen Lord.. On the other hand, the crucifix appeared only in silhouette against the gray sky - for death, even in its most serene ,casts a pall, and what more - the appalling image of the suffering Christ nailed to the cross! Surely these two scenarios cannot be congruent - or so I would have felt at that time.<br /><br />Down the years, with more comprehensive reading and a deeper understanding of the faith, I’ve come to realize and appreciate the line you have stated above. While the idea of the empty tomb still gladdens the heart, the cross depicting Jesus on it -is a constant reminder of the exorbitant cost of our salvation, ……….the love that He literally poured out for us and what’s more, the loving obedience to do the Will of the Father. <br /><br />Thus, the crucifix is a sacramental for us Catholics to help us focus on the endearing and enduring love of God…….to learn to appreciate the meaning of Christ’s - “Thy will be done,” - as perfect obedience and commitment to His Father………... and hopefully as disciples of His, to learn to follow and walk in His way.<br /><br /> I feel that the bare cross without the body of Christ on it will lack a certain richness of meaning for the cross derives meaning from Christ’s dying on it for the redemption of the world.<br /><br />So , like you have said, it can be seen then that both the empty tomb and the crucifix go in tandem towards Easter Triumph.<br /><br />Thank you Fr for your commitment to write weekly to edify. God bless you.<br /><br />Tessa<br />Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211998984286520369noreply@blogger.com