The WYD Cross

a Biblical thought...
Stay calm; mind your own business; do your own job. You've heard all this from us before, but a reminder never hurts. We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends. (1 Thes 4:11-12)

a Book thought...

We now live in a time when consumer Christianity has become the accepted norm, and all-out engagement with and in Jesus' kingdom among us is regarded as just one option people may take if it suits them - but probably as somewhat 'overdoing it'. (p33 Sayers)

a Dave thought...
Best known now as the World Youth Day Cross, it also goes by the names the "Holy Year Cross", the "Jubilee Cross", the "Pilgrim Cross" and the "Youth Cross". It had its beginning in 1984, when celebrating the Holy Year of Redemption, Pope John Paul II desired that there should be a cross - the great symbol of our faith - near the main altar in Saint Peter's where it could be seen by everyone.
At the conclusion of the Jubilee Year Pope John Paul II closed the Holy Door, and the Cross, 3.8m high and 1.75m wide, that had made its home inside, was taken outside and entrusted to a group of young people to be carried out into the world. At that time more than 300,000 young people from all over the world had taken up the Pope's invitation to come to Rome for the Palm Sunday International Jubilee of Youth.
Since this time the WYD Cross has made its way around the world, throughout Europe, behind the Iron Curtain, and to parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa and briefly to Australia, being present at each international celebration of World Youth Day along the way. In 1994 the Cross began in earnest what has since become a tradition: its year long journey around the dioceses of the host nation of each international World Youth Day, as a means of prayerful preparation for the big event.

I found it fascinating yesterday to chat with Father David (pictured above) about the WYD cross and as he explained the history and significance it was once again reminded me about the power of symbolism. As we visited the tent which housed the cross, we saw many line up and take time to kiss the cross and then kneel and pray at the foot of this most loved symbol. Like most symbolism it is not until we understand the history and significance of the icon involved that we really appreciate what it means to others.

Just a thought.