Cross and Environment

October 17, 1999

The crux of the matter

Standing before the Cross, we are called to enter deeply into its great mystery. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (I Cor. 1.18). However, crucified power, power given to those who wanted to annihilate it, is a scheme not easily acceptable to human logic, which is accustomed to recognizing as stronger the one who avoids personal humiliation. However, in this case the grandeur and power of God is revealed in that it remains truly invulnerable to those who attempt to destroy it, in spite of the fact that it appears to be annihilated through the death of the divine Word on the Cross. The Logos remains untouched by death and by every threat. In this way, the Cross, which was formerly a symbol of defeat and shame, is now turned into a symbol of power and glory, because the Crucified one is untouchable by the Cross. In other words, the Cross is proven powerless to touch the Word of God. Christ was subject to the greatest trial and was found stronger than it. To Him be the glory and honor.

In Christian societies, the Cross is venerated as a symbol of the voluntary passion of the divine Word and His victory over death. Although He who first carried the Cross calls those who want to follow Him to carry their own cross, only few joyfully accept to undergo this trial. For, the Cross is equated with the death of the ego and yet also raises the transfigured ego through its sacred identification, out of love, with every “thou” of the human race and the heavenly communion of personal spirits.

Nevertheless, the road of life passes through voluntary crucifixion and the road of eternity through the acceptance in time of death. The mystery of the Cross, while difficult to fathom and to accept, therefore stands before us demanding. It provokes the conscience and enters it as a living experience and as a challenge, not convinced beforehand by persuasive human wise words, but moving as strong as death, in faith and love (Song of Songs 8.6) when the demonstration in the spirit and power of God will come (I Cor. 2.4).

Before each noble high achievement, there is sacrifice. And the symbol of such sacrifice is the Cross. If we want our efforts to succeed, as we begin our study and prayer of the Danubian environment from this point, in order to make the Danube a river of life, each of us must undergo some sacrifice. This sacrifice is the demonstration of our strength and brings upon itself the blessing and the synergy of God, which can overthrow every obstacle and achieve that which we are unable to characterize in any other way than as a miracle. Departing, now, for the miracle of Christ’s resurrection, a symbol of our own resurrection and of the restoration of all nature, we stand uprightly before the Cross of Christ, in the power of which we wish to triumph. Amen.