There are crosses and there are crosses.
Some are involuntary, like the common
Method of execution, used by the Romans
During biblical times.
Such crucifixions were introduced to
Tyrannically, invade, occupy, dominate,
And, at times, even destroy:
Ethnic, religious, political and national groups;
To expand the Roman Empire in every land.
Other involuntary crucifixions
Are manifested through a variety
Of sufferings known to humankind,
And indeed, the whole creation.
Sufferings like: Cancer, AIDS, Poverty,
Division of humans by race, class, gender and creed,
Pollution of the air, water, and land.
The worst involuntary crucifixion
Was the Holocaust, the Shoah.
No words are sufficient to describe
This tragic evil done to the Jewish people.
It was, unfortunately, a culmination
Of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism;
Known as "the teaching of contempt,"
Committed in the name of Christ and Christianity
Down through the centuries.
Today, thank The Holy One of heaven and earth,
The churches are in the process of officially
Condemning these heretical evils and sins against
The Jews and their faith.
Then, there are other crucifixions, which are
voluntary.
Jesus Christ's crucifixion epitomizes this:
Freely he journeyed to his Way of Suffering
On the cross. It was knowingly, deliberately, lovingly,
That he chose this tragic destiny. It was an
Act and event to transcend and transform
His family, friends, all of his would-be disciples
Of every time and place. When prominent
Personages of history are long forgotten, there
Is still something mysteriously popular and fascinating
About Jesus of Nazareth, which stands the tests of time.
His voluntary crucifixion opens up a host of meanings,
They linger and draw us to the realms of authenticity.
Other voluntary crucifixions continue,
They are models of Christ's own. The world
And the church are more alive and inhabitable, thanks
To such self-giving, transforming love and sacrifice.
I'm still filled with awe and wonder, as I
Am scandalized and stumble over such crucifixions.