a new tradition for epic - flowering the cross

By Bruce Kane |  April 2, 2012

 This Easter Sunday will mark the beginning of a new (ancient) tradition for epic church.  We will for the first time flower the cross as an offering of worship to the resurrected Christ.

 

In spite of its function as a brutal form of execution, the cross stands at the center of our faith as a symbol of life.  Saint Paul speaks of the shame of the cross, while Saint John portrays the cross as the principal sign of the glory of Christ, but both recognize that the cross is the source of life.  There can be no Easter without Good Friday, no Resurrection without the Crucifixion.  Indeed, the cross, rather than the empty tomb, has held the place of honor as the primary symbol of the Christian faith.  Christian art certainly has many examples of the cross as an instrument of suffering and death, but some of the earliest depictions of the cross emphasize its life-giving qualities. The flowering cross is found in Christian art as early as the sixth century and is based on a legend that says that the cross itself burst into bloom at the moment that Jesus died.  The legend of the True Cross describes how the wood of the cross came from a tree that sprang from a seed taken from the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. While this legend has no basis in reality, it has provided inspiration for a worship celebration that can have deep meaning for every member of the family.

If your garden is in bloom, bringing cut flowers from home can be a wonderful offering in honor of the risen Lord, and can also provide an opportunity for families to talk about the meaning of the cross and the resurrection.   If you don't have flowers at home, most grocery stores have small bouquets available at a reasonable price to select as a family and bring as a sacrifice of praise.  We will also have some blooms available at the worship gathering for our guests and for those who don't have the resources to bring blossoms with them.

We look forward to a meaningful and inspirational expression of worship through this wonderful new (ancient) tradition.

 

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