The cross is quite an amazing symbol. The history of the cross and how it has changed its meaning is extraordinary. What started out as a devastating form of torture and execution is now a symbol of infinite love. The Romans invented this method of putting someone to death because it was slow, public and demeaning. It was a form of control. The public display would drive fear into the community.

God’s infinite love of his creation, including his people, is what turned this symbol of death into a symbol of Hope and Love. Jesus, as a fully human person, was prepared to die this way to show this limitless love. This is how Catholics can understand that, “through the cross, we have been given never-ending life”. Evil is conquered and love prevails.

The Bethany Community celebrated the feast day of the Holy Cross on Wednesday. It is a day in the Church calendar that highlights the enigma of the Cross. The students learned about the powerful love of the cross and why Catholics are proud to wear this symbol around their necks, or hang on the wall in their houses or spend time looking at it in a Church. Some people even have the cross tattooed somewhere on their body. It is the reason why hot cross buns are shared at Easter time. Catholics make the sign of the cross to start and end a prayer. There is a very large cross on the windows of the classroom facing Fiorelli Drive. When someone is baptised, the shape of the cross is marked on their forehead. When a traditional Valencian paella is made, the rice is sprinkled into the pan in the shape of a cross. On Good Friday, many cultures have a large cross carried through the streets to the church. Sometimes we see sports people make the sign of the cross when they have made a heroic achievement.

Let Your Light Shine

Andy and Savain from Year 6 rocking out some tunes for a captive audience.

We have some talented musicians who have not only played their guitars at a recent Mass for the Jericho Community but who have also decided to take their skills to a wider audience at recess. Matthew 5:15 says:

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

Let your light shine Andy and Savain!