The Meaning of the Cross and the Resurrection

Why does the cross stand as the most absurd yet central symbol of the Christian faith? Archbishop Fulton Sheen explores the profound paradox of the crucifixion, where the vertical bar of life is violently contradicted by the horizontal bar of death. He argues that the cross becomes the ultimate symbol of the incomprehensible, a place of execution that paradoxically serves as the foundation for a new humanity. By examining the historical and spiritual significance of the place of the skull, Sheen invites listeners to consider how the new Adam brings forth a new creation through the very instrument of his suffering.

Sheen masterfully connects the Old Testament imagery of the bronze serpent to the reality of the crucifixion. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking upon the serpent of brass, so too are those who look upon the crucified Christ healed from the poison of sin. He emphasizes that Christ took on the appearance of sin without bearing the stain of it, allowing him to become the ultimate remedy for the human condition. The episode also delves into the varied human responses to the cross, categorizing them into apathy, antipathy, and sympathy--much like the reactions of the soldiers, the thieves, and the faithful followers at Calvary.

This reflection remains deeply relevant today as it challenges the modern tendency to seek a Christianity without the cross. Sheen reminds us that the resurrection is not merely a historical event but a reality that requires our active participation and complete surrender to God's will. By confronting the reality of our own crosses, we are called to move beyond a superficial faith and into a deeper, transformative relationship with the risen Lord. Listeners are encouraged to embrace the redemptive power of suffering and to find hope in the promise that all who look to the cross will be healed.