Praying beneath the Cross

Praying at the foot of the Cross changes things. I know many say Jesus isn’t there. He’s risen. Better to pray at the empty tomb. But when I feel such sorrow, when I look around and see so much suffering, praying here just feels better.

Something happens beneath the Cross. I’ve experienced this a thousand times. Perhaps Jesus is still on the Cross? Just as His resurrection carries through all time, His passion on that Cross does too? Besides, what parent doesn’t suffer if her children are suffering?

When I bring my sorrows here, when I bring what hurts me and what hurts others here and I lift them high, it is as if Jesus takes them from me, yes, but I still have hold of them, too. It’s as if the sorrows themselves get altered, changed, as I hold them. It’s as if I get altered, changed. It’s as if those whose sufferings I brought here get altered, changed. Something happens. Change occurs, and I take this change with me as I go back, then, and continue living. The change acquired gets played out in my life and in the lives of those for whom I prayed.

How does it play itself out? How do I know? I am stronger. I am wiser. I watch as others get stronger, wiser. I watch as things work out – and I’ve seen this enough to trust even when things don’t seem like they’re working out.

 Reflection

When you are overwhelmed with sorrow, how might praying beneath the Cross strengthen you?

 Prayer

Dear God, I’ve not prayed here before; or, when I have, I’ve been taught to think about what You had to go through because of my sins. That has a part here, but there’s more. There’s much more. We can act with You! Our suffering and especially that of others, brought here and lifted to You in prayer, effects change! It brings about more wisdom, more courage, more comfort, more of all we need. Thank You for this mercy, Lord.

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