This last weekend, we celebrated the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. After one of the Masses that I celebrated, someone asked me, “Why do we Catholics have images on the crosses and not just the plain crosses like some of the other Churches?” I gave a brief
explanation in response to the question. Later that evening, a thought came to me that perhaps there are others who ask the same question. So, I decided to use this forum to shed light on the relationship between the cross and the crucifix.
The crucifix is the cross with the figure or image of Jesus’s body carved or engraved on it. This means that every crucifix is a cross but not every cross is a crucifix. A crucifix may be described as a special type of cross. Catholics are known for preferring the use of crucifixes to ordinary crosses. On the other hand, most Protestant denominations do not support the use of crucifixes.
We, Catholics, believe that though Christ is risen and is no longer physically on the cross, the fact remains that we are saved by his suffering, death on the cross and resurrection. These three realities, that is, the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ, make up what is referred to as the paschal mystery. The suffering and death of Christ is not something of the past; this is what the crucifix brings to the human mind whenever it is seen. Some people think that the images on the crucifixes go contrary to God’s commandment that says, “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or a likeness of anything in the heavens above or on the earth; you shall not bow down before them or serve them” (Exodus 20: 4-5). Does this text of the “Ten Commandments” forbid the images of Christ on crucifixes? The answer is NO.
God does not contradict himself. The same God who gave the ten commandments through Moses commanded Moses to make the bronze serpent and put it on a pole so that everyone who is bitten by the snakes looks at it and lives (Number 21: 6-9). An idol is something created that takes the place of God, the creator. Such is not the case with crucifixes. Nothing that draws people to God or that reminds them of God can be called an idol. The use of objects as expressions of faith or to promote faith in God is not in any way idolatrous. A cross without Jesus on it seems to introduce a separation between Jesus and the cross. When Jesus is removed from the cross, the cross loses its redemptive meaning. The cross is redemptive only if it is related to Jesus. For this reason, it is important even in symbolism that we do not separate Jesus from the cross. The crucifix preserves this essential relationship.
In sum, there is no reason for a contest between the cross and the crucifix because both call to mind and give expression to the mystery of our redemption by Christ through his death. However, if a choice were to be made, the crucifix will be my preferred option.
-Fr Bona