The Cross

Today our priest spoke about the Cross symbol. It was wonderful to me that he pointed out something I should have realized years ago. The fact is, that in Christ's time, the Cross was not a symbol to be honored as we do by bowing, by displaying, by revering (or even by wearing as jewelry around our necks). The Cross in Christ's time was a symbol of disgrace!
Another priest in another church who helped me along my way brought home to me the fact that if I had been the only person alive, that Christ, indeed would have still suffered on that Cross. When we think of that death, we must understand that our individual personal sins are what Christ died for, so that they could be forgiven. It is my own sin that I think of now when I see a cross.
My mother spoke disparagingly of someone recently who was "living in sin". I gently (at least I hope it was gently) pointed out that we all are--living in sin. This is my "Unsung Hero/ine" today; the person that my mother spoke of who is "living in sin". I remember those lines, my very favorite in all the Gospels, found in Luke 23:42, when Jesus reassured the person hanging on the very cross next to him. When that man said, "Jesus, remember me, when you come into Your Kingdom", I know that all of us will be remembered, and forgiven.