Daily Catholic Lectio. Sun, 3 Mar 2024. Meaning of the Cross

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sun, 3 March 2024

Third Sunday of Lent

Exodus 20:1-17. 1 Corinthians 1:22-25. John 2:13-25

Meaning of the Cross

The cross replaces the two key identities of the Jews, i.e., the decalogue and the temple.

The first reading is the narration of God’s giving of the decalogue to the people of Israel through Moses. The decalogue acted as the sign of the covenant between God and the people of Israel. Jesus, in fact, narrows down the ten commandments into two (cf. Luke 10) and further gives us a new commandment of love (cf. John 13:34).

In the gospel reading, Jesus cleanses the temple of Jerusalem, which was considered a messianic sign. The sign was understood later by his disciples. Jesus cleansed the second temple, which was embellished by Herod the Great. By doing so, Jesus replaces the temple with himself.

The decalogue is the invitation to love one another, and the temple is the sign to love God.

The cross has two beams: horizontal (love of neighbour) and vertical (love of God). The second reading puts forward the cross as the new identity.

What are the lessons for us?

(a) The external symbols – decalogue and temple – are not enough to take ourselves close to God and our neighbours. We must do what the symbols signify.

(b) We reflect on the cross. Does the cross and its meaning of self-denial, sacrifice, self-emptying, and love affect us?

(c) Let us resolve to renew our relationship with God and neighbour.

With a surrendering heart, let us come close to God, who alone has the words of eternal life.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy