The crucifix is our teacher, guide and philosopher.

The crucifix is our teacher,  guide and  philosopher.
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A crucifix is a cross,

with the figure of Our Lord

nailed to

and

hanging on it.

Cross itself is a symbol of Christianity

as Our Lord brought us salvation

by His sacrificial death on it.

Why do we give more importance to a crucifix

rather than to a cross

in our daily usage?

The answer is simple,

it has the figure of Our Lord on it,

while the cross is plain.

For us Catholics

the Crucifix is a

visual reminder

of Christ’s crucifixion.

It is a teacher,

a source of guidance,

and a much revered object of devotion.

We find great comfort in gazing at a crucifix

with the figure of Jesus on the front,

as we  trust that

our sins are forgiven

because of His death

on the cross.

Moreover

we are reminded of Jesus' resurrection,

because we know that

Jesus rose to life

on the third day of His death.

We are assured that there is really life after death

and that a place is ready for us in heaven.

We should  gaze upon the figure of Jesus on the cross,

  and call to mind the great suffering He endured for us.

  We should  find solace in the thought

that our sufferings are nothing

when compared with the sufferings

Jesus endured for us.

Christ was mistreated by the jews

though  he was innocent of the charges against him.

This thought will help us to endure the mistreatment

we are undergoing in the hands of our ill wishers.

Let us  remember that our Lord did not respond back to the abuse and accusations made against Him,

but forgave even those who put Him to death.

There are many other lessons that Christ’s example on the cross can teach us.

But, the most important reason

why the crucifix is so important to Catholics,

is that 

Jesus suffered greatly

so that we can be forgiven of our sins.

Meditation on Jesus' crucifixion will reveal to us the unlimited love He has us.

It is His love for us that made Him lay down His life for us.

Christ’s willingness to die for us

is the greatest act of love

the world has ever known.

" This is the greatest love a man can shew,

that he should lay down his life for his friends." (John.15:13)

Jesus had such a huge heart

that he embraced death for the sake of his love for us,

not just the whole world taken together,

but for each one of us individually.

Even if I were the only sinner in this, He would have sacrificed His life for me.

The image of Jesus dying on the cross

also reminds us

that a person can be forgiven

and receive salvation,

even in the last hour of life,

the same way that Christ forgave the good thief,

assuring him a place in paradise.

It is not enough that we just gaze at the crucifix.

We should  die to ourselves

that is,

  to our own selfishness.

We should be ready to die

for the love of others too.

We should also to pick up our own cross daily

and follow in the footsteps of Jesus,

keeping fresh in our mind

who He was and what His life meant.

When we gaze upon the figure of Christ on the cross, 

we do not notice the wood of the cross,

as much as we do our Lord Jesus Christ.

The crucifix will be our teacher, guide and philosopher if we meditate on it properly.

Lourdu Selvam.