Building Bridges
Bridges are fascinating. But, to some people, bridges are terrifying to behold. Bridges don’t appear out of thin air, but are carefully thought out, drafted, executed, and probably more than once or twice—back to the drafting table! There is a long process from start to finish. The people behind the scenes know the pain and the labor that went into seeing the finished product.
We may take advantage of the bridges in our lives. Not a thought may cross our minds into the depths of ingenuity, thought, time, effort, sweat, and even blood went into the bridges that we cross daily.
Maybe you have not thought about it this way, but we place our faith in bridges. By going over a bridge, we make an act of human faith that will get to the other side. This is different than the act of supernatural faith, but I think you get my point—we trust that bridge will help get us from point A to point B!
Those of us from Birmingham can appreciate and reap the benefits of the new bridge that weaves through our city—and even enjoy the lights at night. Over 160,000 people cross that bridge every day.
When the old bridge was taken down, we all had to find new ways to get to our destination. It was a little inconvenient, but we all managed. We all seemed to breathe a bit easier when it was finished. Life returned to normal. Or did it? Remember, the bridge was completed during the thick of the Pandemic in 2020.
Why am I mentioning all of this? The Cross of Calvary is the crossroads or the bridge to Eternal Life—our Heavenly homeland and God-willing—our Final destination. There is no Glory without the Cross of Christ. Our Lord did not by-pass the Cross. The Cross is the bridge that the Lord Jesus, willingly accepted and even embraced to destroy death, conquer the kingdom of Satan, and open the possibility to Eternal Life—by His Passion, Death, and Glorious Resurrection.
I found a clever quote this morning that captures what I wish to convey to you— “Only Jesus could build a bridge to Heaven with just two pieces of wood.”
I can guarantee you; the Cross is the sure and steady bridge that will keep you on the straight and narrow path to Eternal Life.
Another guarantee is that the Cross doesn’t feel good. Conforming our lives into the pattern of the Cross of Christ is a daily dying to ourselves. This takes supernatural faith, hope, and charity—all Gifts that are given to us from God...
Again, bridges are fascinating and they can be frightening. But the best bridge ever fashioned, had our God nailed to it—for love of you and love of me.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because, by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
* Preached on EWTN Good Friday, 4/15/2022
Isaiah 52:13—53:12
Psalm 31
Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9
John 18:1—19:42
