Risen Christ Cross above Altar

[Tolle_Lege]

That is why I have the exact solution, a crucifix behind the altar and the resurrected Christ on the transom to view as one leaves Mass. Contemplate the suffering and Christ’s passion during Mass, then see the hope of the Resurrection while leaving. I may be writing the Vatican to propose this holy and pious idea.

 

[rich123456]

The more we gloss over the pain and suffering of Christ. The less the need to go to Confession. Do you not see the correlation? Empty Cross, empty Confessionals. Look at all the other Christian Churches without the Crucifix. We must be the last stand in this. No where else to go.
The Resurrected Christ on the Cross tells me it’s all ok. Might as well pack it all up and go home. Were all good right! Everyone should be able to receive Communion, right? Where is the Procession through the Passion of Christ, His Cross that builds towards Easter? We just want to be happy and get everything fast. We won’t even wear a Crucifix because of what others might think of us. Whereas it really needs to be seen. Not covered up. The Cross, the Passion of our Lord has all the answers to all our problems. We need to go deeper. Read what Saint Paul says to the Church in Corinth. Let it soak in. Nothing seems to change under the sun. Or should I say under the Crucifix. (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[otjm]

The more we gloss over the pain and suffering of Christ. The less the need to go to Confession. Do you not see the correlation?

I would submit that the reduction in the number of people going to Confession has nothing whatsoever to do with which of the two statues hang over the altar; my experience is that very few parishes have the Risen Christ, but confessions seem to be down across the board.

And given that I made my first confession in the 1950’s, I can say that my personal experience is that there are bout the same number of people in line for confession where I go now as there were back then. I am well aware that some parishes have fewer going; but we also have about 30% of the number of Catholics attending Mass every Sunday now than we did when the decline started - which was about 1957-1958.

There seems to be this idea that back in the mists of time we had confessional lines going out the parish door and down the block. We didn’t. I would suggest that as a percentage of all Catholics (including the 75% +/- who don’t attend Mass regularly) we have a grater percentage going to confession.

 

[rich123456]

You make some good points. I will admit.
I have no idea if Confessions are less in a Church that has the Resurrection Cross above the Altar. But I do have a hunch that it does not help. Someone mentioned here that I feel the way I do because of my Mormon Background. True. They do not have one empty Cross. Ask most with recommend cards if they are sinners, they will say no because they uphold the commandments. Only way they can enter their Temples. I see the danger in covering the Cross with the resurrected Christ. I see this clearly. Like one yelling out in the wilderness…Slight smile here.

We are embarrassed to mention our sins to another person.
This comes from a lack of understanding and the Humility it takes to enter the Confessional. The notion that we can confess our sins directly to God rather than the one Body of Christ stems from the empty Cross feel good feelings. Infected by progressive Liberalism that infects all other Christian Churches. To the point of no Mass, no Cross, no Confessions. We convince ourselves that we are ok, we have not done anything bad enough to go. For some…. go where?

We keep Christ on the Cross in the inner darkness of our very souls. And pretend he is not there in the light of the Mass. Confession keeps our Lord Jesus Christ on our ground in us. Confessing venial sins helps us fend off Mortal sins. The Crucifix front and center reminds us of our sins weather we know this or not. Whether we like it or not. This is a very good thing when mixed with a good Confession. Confession gives the Crucified Christ our hope, His hope, His Joy, our joy. It starts with His Passion for all of us. Its why He entered this world. It ends with the triumph of Easter. Then we start all over again. We are only human.

The symbol of the Crucifix tells us we need to make changes in our lives. This is always hard for us mere humans. An unhealthy dose of the resurrection may convince us otherwise. Were ok, we never had it so good as we enter into a certain bondage.

We must always start with the Crucifixion as we each played a part. Good Friday is a great time to ponder these points looking up. Easter is our time to rise with Christ. Making a statement to the dark side as it gets flooded with the light. In Him we are going to be ok. Then we start all over again.

O souls! seek a refuge, like pure doves, in the shadow of the crucifix. There mourn the Passion of your divine Spouse, and drawing from your hearts flames of love and rivers of tears, make of them a precious balm with which to anoint the wounds of your Saviour. – St. Paul of the Cross

 

[Genesis315]

Images of the resurrection are good–there are some beautiful, traditional altar pieces depicting it. However, the crucifix, as others have mentioned, is a special (and required) image for the Roman Mass, and it should not be replaced.

That being said, “resurrectifixes” are misguided. Christ did not fly off or come down from the Cross. In fact, He resisted that temptation. I know the intention is to show the unity of the crucifixion and resurrection, but it just doesn’t work.

 

[rich123456]

I know the intention is to show the unity of the crucifixion and resurrection, but it just doesn’t work.

I have to say that I too once thought about unity between the Crucifix and the Resurrection. I used to make a certain Cross. I had a women who headed up our Liturgy in Logan Utah say to me. All we need on the Cross is Jesus. Its enough. I did not understand her then. I do now. As beautiful as it is I just can’t make it anymore. I now know what she was telling to tell me. (Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)