Reflections - Under The Cross Poem by Angelina Pandian

What is this Cross? – That we surround ourselves with,

From Birth – baptized with the Cross crowning us

Through Life – when fear or sickness assaults us

We draw its protective sign (arms) around to guard us

While in Life’s journey it goes before and guides us

With each new venture – be it a solemn marriage

Or uncertain steps through the worlds many mazes,

The Cross is always there to bless us and

When in eternal sleep our eyes we close, we commit

Our Soul to God and seal it with its sign.

We are born under its shadow and however far

We might wander, weary or worn, we always return

To its enfolding arms to find our peace and rest.

Yet, do we realize its significance while we live?

Is the Cross just a symbol or is it our way of life?

Of what use, is all this talk of carrying the Cross

If we bear its burden only for worldly rewards –

Some paltry name, fame or some fringe benefits?

What is a Cross without Christ?

It would have remained a symbol of punishment

A piece of wood, an instrument of law,

The face of Death seen by a murderer, a thief

Or a rebel against society – political or religious.

Are we also not one of these?

Do we not murder men –

When we break their hopes

When we stab in the back

With malicious gossip out of pitiful envy!

Do we not thieve –

When we desire what is not ours

When we waste somebody’s time

Their life!

Are we not rebels too –

All of us at heart sometimes, somewhere

Whether it is against ideas

Norms or even people!

This Tree of Justice, this Cross –

If judged, we would have been condemned to

Found guilty and sentenced to hang upon till death.

But, with Christ, this same piece of wood, this Cross

Is transformed into an instrument of Love Divine,

The Hope of Life Eternal it offers

To all sinners repentant. This piece of wood,

This Cross, which we all love and cling to

Which shows the way to Freedom and Life – All because,

This piece of wood, this Cross was the portal through which

Christ stepped into the jaws of Death and victorious

Brought forth Eternal Life for us.

Oh! Cross of Shame! Cross of Agony and pain!

To me, thou art the Tree of Hope and Life!