The empty cross is supposed to signify the fact that he rose from the dead and defeated death, which if you think about it is really what it is all about. The crucifixtion is very important because it shows us what God was willing to do in order that we might have access to him again. However the true victory was when he was raised from the dead on that Sunday. The empty cross is supposed to remind us that like Jesus we will have life everlasting.

It weighs heavily upon me that every sin I commit only adds to the suffering Jesus had to go through, and it isn't something that is far from my mind. Now the question you have to ask yourself is, does God want us to dwell on the pain he went through for us or for the joy that his sacrifice brought us? I find mysef dwelling on the pain he went through because I know it is something I probably would never have been able to do and that makes me feel very ashamed of myself. My church serves communion every first sunday of the month and we all take time to think about what Jesus went through.

To limit being that close to God only through communion really puts a heavy limited on God. I am that close with God every day when I ask him to fill me with his presense and I can feel the warmth of his love fill me. I do that every day and I feel very close with God, as opposed to waiting to have a piece of bread put in my mouth. I think that idea is in itself a good start for someone, but in reality all you are doing is opening yourself up to God and spending time with him. You can do that anytime you want to.

-- John L. (johnlocked@hotmail.com), March 08, 2004

Answers

John,
Both types of crosses are good symbols. The empty cross reminds us, as you say, of the risen Christ. Christ on the cross reminds us of what agony He went through so our sins would be forgiven. Both are instramental to our faith. That is why The Passion of the Christ is a must see for every adult Christian.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), March 08, 2004.

The cross with Corpus (Body) attached also helps us to bear our own sufferings, doing so in union with the sufferings of Jesus.

-- (Pray@For.Mel), March 09, 2004.

I certainly agree that putting a piece of bread in your mouth has little to do with being close to God. However, Jesus never spoke of putting pieces of bread in our mouths. He spoke of consuming His Body and His Blood - real food and real drink. He said that unless we do so, we have no spiritual life within us. Clearly such a strong statement can have nothing to do with eating mere bread, nothing to do with mere symbolism. Symbolic "communion" can be a nice gesture. But it cannot be compared in any way with the actual Eucharist instituted by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper - "This IS My Body ... This IS My Blood. Do THIS in remembrance of Me."

The empty cross is simply an instrument of execution, just like the electric chair. Yes, it can have symbolism if you think in terms of THAT particular cross, and Who was on it. But the cross with Jesus on it is the moment of our salvation, the reason God became man. Without the Crucifixion there would have been no salvation, and no Resurrection. There is a natural tendency to emphasize the Resurrection rather than the Crucifixion. Who would not prefer to think of glory rather than agony? But you can't live the Christian life thinking only in terms of Resurrection. Jesus said 'if you would be my disciple, take up your CROSS and follow Me".

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), March 09, 2004.

I used to only approve of the empty cross too. I disliked the cross with Christ on though mainly because the protestant church I attened called it an "image". I see John's point also for the "empty" cross reminding us that Christ has risen but the cross with Christ shows the wrath of God against mankinds sins AND the LOVE of God for dying for us so we may have life with God. It reminds me "Jesus Christ did this for me, you, all mankind because were SINNERS! Because of our sins a penalty of DEATH has to be paid and God chose to give himself so we could have LIFE. It's right in your face christianity no ands, ifs, or buts. It's a forever reminder as were on THIS EARTH that Christ has died and has been raised AGAIN for mankind. Praise the LORD. I know many people who like to wear crosses of plain but care not about christianity. Though I don't say that about John, but whenever someone wears one with Christ, they are usualy religous, at least in my travels.

Catholic brothers and sisters correct me in love if I am wrong.

-- Jason (Enchanted fire5@aol.com), March 10, 2004.

I was a cradle Catholic, but nevertheless had a "conversion" experience of sorts (as is common) when I was in high school. On a whim (?) I parked at my old grade school church, went inside, and looked at the bronze Crucifix, cum corpu, and reflected on Christ's sacrifice.

That did it. Empty crosses have a good theology; but in terms of prayer, they have all the significance of an arithmetical plus sign.

-- anon (ymous@god.bless), March 10, 2004.

What's a "cradle catholic"?

-- William (Ducin25@aol.com), March 10, 2004.

A "cradle Catholic" is someone that was baptised a Catholic while an infant. Basically someone that was always Catholic and did not convert to Catholicism.

-- Scott (papasquat10@hotmail.com), March 11, 2004.

"cum corpu" (anon)

cum corpore, please!

-- (Darned@Declensions.com), March 11, 2004.

Oh drat. I thought it was 4th declension. Back to Collins!

-- anon (ymous@god.bless), March 11, 2004.

Catholics use the crucifix because like St Paul we preach Christ who "suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried..." An empty cross (as used by Protestants) is merely an instrument of torture. Only the scourged, crowned, and crucified man makes it a religious symbol.

Besides, when Our Lord said "just as Moses raised the serpent in the desert, so when the Son of man is raised up I will draw all men to myself" he was alluding to his own death and the symbol or sign that it would be for all men.

-- Joe (joestong@yahoo.com), March 19, 2004.

An empty croos would be just that: an empty cross. That is an instrument of torture and death used on so many criminals and rebel slaves by the Romans. But Jesus' CROSS is something else:

Galatians 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

In order to have meaning the Cross must have Jesus' body on it.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), March 21, 2004.