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Exemplifies love
Off the Wall
April 5, 2007
Mention the word sign to people, and many will come
up with various definitions.
When I first heard the word, I thought of traffic
signs, such as stop, detour or those of designation noting how
many miles it would be until a certain town would be reached.
My dictionary has nine definitions. So, it can be
seen, its usage can be applied various ways. It can be something
perceived by the senses. In addition, it reveals something other
than itself.
We all know, for example, that when the sun rises
in the east, it is a sign that night has passed and daylight
is upon us. Such is the case when it sets in the west, darkness
will replace the light.
Throughout the ages, man has depended on signs to
serve as revelations. For instance, many devout Christians have
asked God that, though the Holy Spirit, they be given the ability
of speaking in tongues. When given this gift, it is a sign to
them that through their faithfulness their wish was granted.
The Bible itself has not only served as the greatest
book ever written, but in addition to having great historical
significance is full of prophesies that were inscribed before
and after the birth of Jesus Christ, all up to this present date
have come true.
Of all the books in the Holy Scriptures, the Gospel
of John is said to be the Book of Signs. Beginning with John
2 all the way to the 12th chapter, the apostle describes the
significant acts of Jesus, some of these not necessarily miracles.
It became apparent that Jesus' teachings were by both word and
deed.
Yet, amongst all He had done, there was yet but
one sign God had for Christ that would become known as the most
perfect sign of His saving power the death and resurrection
of Jesus. It is God's will that man may be saved and fully rectified
through this act.
Even the authors of the Paulist Press, 1980, in
a study guide titled "Journey, The Word Became Flesh,"
stated, "All of the events of His public ministry led to
the hour of His greatest deed; all pointed to and revealing something
of the perfect sign, Christ's dying and rising."
A good many years ago, I was walking through a Christian
book store when I spotted a poster on the wall that caught my
attention. It was a depiction of one of Jesus' wrists being nailed
to the cross. I stopped, stared and took to heart what exactly
was happening. It wasn't until just recently, when I experienced
a very painful disc problem, did that poster come back to mind.
When I was visited by the clergy in the hospital, the only thing
I could think of telling the priest was, "I can't imagine
the pain Christ must have endured without morphine. Yet, He did
so freely to save us from our sins."
What more could He have done to exemplify His love
for us?
But in the noted publication, the authors pointed
out, "The Lord gave the church signs which point to and
reveal the cross and resurrection, and even more than this, signs
which actually give entry into the mystery they signify."
They then referred to John's writings once again.
The evangelist, as they called him,
made reference to signs found in the Holy Scriptures, the sacraments,
the waters of baptism and the bread and wine of the Eucharist.
"This was all accomplished by the perfect sign of the death
and resurrection of Jesus," they added.
This evening, many Christians of the area will be
attending Masses or services commemorating Maundy Thursday. On
this holy night, the faithful will remember it as the evening
of the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples
and established the ceremony of the Eucharist. That night, He
was also betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane.
They will also prepare for the holiest days of the
Christian calendar, Good Friday, the day Christ died on the cross,
Holy Saturday and Easter, the day He ascended into heaven.
Just as Christ planted the seed in each of us that
we should love one another, may we exemplify his perfect sign
his dying and resurrection on our behalf.
May each of you have a very blessed Easter.
Paul j. Volkmann
02/22/07
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