The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-06-07

Looking 10 Jesus, the Author AM
Fnisher Of Faith" CHebr. IIS)
There rises aloft on the surface o
the globe a most wonderful tree, yer!
mysterious, and more productive o
good things than any other tree. L
was planted by a heavenly Gardener
The tree that ! speak OF spreads H.
sheltering branches over past and fu
ture times. II casts its saving shad-
ow over centuries. II invites mortal
~ wounded men-men wounded by sin
to come and imbibe new strength
and new life for all eternity With is
roots this tree grasps the earth; with
its towering branches il touches the
skies whilst it's fruit is the salvation
of nations II is the tree of life.
Those who dwell here upon earth
during the centuries prcceedmgChrist
looked hopefully ahead at this tower
ing tree. Since the birth and death
OF the Savior. all generations had 10
look to this tree with eyes of faith If
they would obtain life. Thus this
mysterious tree has been, is, and viii
be 10 the end of time, the centre
point OF all ages. This tree Is the
cross OF Christ
You must not wonder therefore,
dear friends when you see that wher-
eyer religion and faith live in the
hearts of the people the Holy Cross
intensihes ardent sentiments of love
ana veneration in those hearts. In
Catholic countries you meet the cross
everywhere. Along the public high
ways. in the city street, in the shady
woods, on hilltops, in town and ham,
let. the faith and love of better times
have erected this holy sign OF Re
demption, this heavenly standard of
victory. Good men have set il up In
order that the weary pilgrim on his
way through life, by merely casting
look of confidence on this emblem of
salvation. may be cOmforted and
strengthened. and with renewed cour-
age. push vigorously on 20 the entern-
al resting place, at tine end of this
pilgrimage. Deeply and practically
sensible is the custom common among
all Catholics to erect cross for this
purpose especially in the cemetery on
the graves of their departed ones
why? on the cross Love hangs nail
ed. on the cross Love has gained its
victory; on the cross Love has gained
it's most sublime conquest. Every sign
of the cross therefore brings Christ
To our remembrance, that innocent
Lamb OF God. who out of love for our
souls, was pleased TO offer Himself
as a victim Of atonement on that con-
secratcd altar Of Calvary. For this
reason our church venerates the cross
lndholds it in such high honor that she
allows no mass TO be celebrated un-
less I'm the presence of the cruciAN
and that she makes use Of the sign OF
the cross in all her acts of divine wor-
ship. This sacred symbol of our re-
demption ought therefore to be found
i'm every Christian home; it ought to
be placed i'm the hands OF every dying
Christian, when about TO draw his last
breath. it accompanies him To his last |
resting place. it ought to mark it; |
and therefore we have erected it in |
our cemetery.
without the Crucifed one of the /
cross there is no grace, no peace no /
salvation. But whence does the cross
derive such high and honorable dis
inction? From no other than Jesus
'hrist himself. You cannot even
hlnk OF the cross without Christ. /
Whenever you sign yourself with the /
sign Of the cross, whenever i'm pious |
prayer you kneel before it, you GER
ainly think Of Jesus the crpcified. |
fou recognize Him as your Lord and
Saviour. And looking up at its friend
y arms you place your hopes i'm Him,
who redeemed you on 1t, and with sem
iments Of reverence and happiness
you cry out with the church Ave |
,ruxl spes unica." Hail thee 0 Holy !
1rossi my only Hope!"
At the sight Of the crucihed Saviour,
1t the recollection of the awful suf-
'erings that he underwent for your
sins, surely deep contrition must over
vhelm your heart. How would we see
Tesus on the cross without being pain
ully conscious of having sinned and /
hereby increased his pain and sor-