WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

The crucifix was over 23 feet tall and weighed 4200 pounds, raised high upon the wall of the church. I had never seen anything like it. I lowered myself to kneel under the weight of this cross. 

When I stood to pray the Our Father, and gazed on the crucifix, the corpus came alive. My eyes showed me things I hadn't seen before. I felt as though I was truly watching the crucifixion on Calvary. 

With my eyes fixed on His chest, I could see it pulsing and throbbing. He was gasping for air. His chest was pounding, in and out, in and out, but laboriously. There were short inhales and hurried exhales as He struggled to breathe. 

What to make of this? An inanimate object was becoming animate to me. Yet I couldn't take my eyes off of it. How could I help Him? How could I ease His suffering? His chest continued to writhe in agony. 

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you? Answer me." -  Reproaches from the ancient liturgy of Good Friday 

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