FAITHFUL FRIAR'S LOG

My dear Brother SIR KNIGHTS:

At some time in our lives, you and I have been vaccinated (inoculated) for measles, mumps, scarlet fever, diphtheria or for some other disease. Only in the 19th century did vaccination become the medical procedure.

At the beginning it didn't make much sense to have a doctor put the very germs into our system that we wanted to avoid. We were very skeptical. But of course, medical history proved us all wrong.

So too, the Hebrew people in the desert as they were journeying for some 40 years from Egypt to the Promised Land, were very skeptical when Moses told those bitten by snakes..to look at the bronze snake. After all was it not the snake that caused them to become sick in the first place? Therefore the wisest thing to do, would be to avoid everything even remotely connected to serpents. There is a connection…between the image of the serpent that was raised up on the pole...and Our Blessed Savior who was raised up on the Cross on Calvary.

In our homes, we cave crucifixes (I hope and pray that we do!!!) and we look upon them or at least see them daily. Just as the image of the bronze serpent healed the Hebrews who were bitten by snakes...so too the Image of Our Suffering Savior heals us afflicted with various kinds of physical…emotional…and spiritual ailments. By venerating Our Suffering Lord, we can be healed of the suffering but not necessarily completely cured. We should not look upon the cross, or the crucifix as some kind of a charm that could ward of any sufferings. God would not be doing us a favor by smoothing away all our pain. Today we are sometimes dubbed as the aspirin society...we find it hard to accept trouble and affliction as a positive good.

There is a widespread belief that stress…confusion…and disappointment are unmitigated exiles to be shunned...or cured at all costs. Thanks to the media that makes us believe that unruffled happiness and contentment are a human right, and that a normal life should be free of any sort of anxiety...conflict..or vexation.

Recently I read a description of the Cross of Lothar. I never seen or heard of it, but nevertheless it is apropos. One side of the Cross is a statement of royal power and wealth. At the center of the gems and gold filigree is a cameo portrait of Augustus, the Roman emperor. He is decked out in a fine robe and an olive wreath, manifestating military victory. However, on the other side of the Cross...is only a flat piece of silver, on which is engraved an outline drawing of the crucifixion. There is the KING of the JEWS. Its beauty makes the front of the Cross worldly and pretentious. The lesson we draw from this...is that our salvation comes not from power and wealth, but from the sufferings and humility in the Cross of Christ. Your and my salvation, my dear brothers, was bought through weakness and suffering.

Today is not GOOD FRIDAY nor is it PASSIONTIDE, but it is the Feast of the EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS (Sunday, September 14th). Time to take that crucifix of the wall. brush off the cobwebs and dust that has accumulated...and kiss reverently the image of the Crucified Christ, Who died a most ignominious death for you and for me. Gaze and study that image...the terrible pains He endured, which we unfortunately inflicted upon Him. He never...no never did He complain. Look seriously at His hands.... His feet...His crown of thorns...and His beloved heart pierced with the lance. Oh, His final words, "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, for they know not what they do."