The Fish Net
Boston Presbyterian Church
Easter 2011
Dear Friends,
It has been said that upon entering a church one can usually tell right away whether it is Protestant or Roman Catholic.  If it is Protestant then there may or may not be a cross at the front but if there is one then it will be bare.  If however the church is Roman Catholic then there will usually be a crucifix at the front; a crucifix being a cross depicting Jesus on it.  Once I was asked why this is and the answer is simple.  While the resurrection of Jesus is certainly a vital part of Roman Catholic belief, historically the emphasis was placed on his suffering and death.  In most Protestant traditions however, while the importance of what is remembered on Good Friday is by no means ignored, the greater emphasis was placed on the resurrection, hence the empty or bare cross, a bare cross symbolizing the resurrection.  Which tradition is right?
Both are; indeed what is needed is a balance between the two and while many of us may not realize it, the balance is symbolized at the front of our own sanctuary.
On the wall at the front of our sanctuary there is of course a large bare cross.  This is a visible sign or reminder of Easter and all that that means; that as Jesus was raised and lives forevermore triumphing over the powers of sin and death, so too shall we.  On the communion table however there is a smaller brass cross.  The letters on the cross are the ancient Greek short form for the name Jesus.  While we may not realize it this is in fact a symbolic crucifix.  What this means is that every time we look at the front of our sanctuary we are visibly reminded of the two great events and truths of our faith.  The smaller cross reminds us of the events of that first Good Friday while the even larger cross proclaims the glorious news and promise of that first Easter Sunday.
Wishing you a most blessed Easter season!
Shawn