What is Easter without the Cross? What is life without the Cross? Does it not become more clear what the Cross means as we grow older?

Does it really push the imagination to its limits to contemplate that a religion that worships the sign of the Cross could become the faith of billions of people?

And that this powerful symbol, the Cross, would not only come to be embraced worldwide, but became the par excellence mark and indisputable proof of our devotion to Jesus Christ?

The Cross characterizes us, distinguishes us, directs us. How many battles were fought with the Cross as a symbol? How is it that many, many people met tragic deaths by refusing to renounce it?

The Cross is all this – and much more.

It is our consolation as we climb the Calvary of life. It is the reminder that life is an endless struggle, a struggle that constantly changes and takes on new forms as we move into new phases in our lives.

It is also the absolute proof of the reality that injustice often prevails in the world. That injustice reaches the point even of condemning an innocent man, the most innocent, Christ, to the most horrific of deaths, through Crucifixion.

But the Cross is also the necessary, the only way to reach the ultimate triumph, the Resurrection.

It is also our hope, the source of strength for the small or the great victories, against evil, injustice, and illness, which often makes our life unbearable.

And when we see that even Christ was crucified, who are we to imagine that we too will not have to endure, for one reason or another, injustice and suffering, our own crucifixions – which the great symbol of the Cross, and the incarnation of Christ, reminds us that we will not face alone or in vain.

I wish everyone had a Happy Easter and a Blessed Resurrection.