I love this image by Fra Angelico of St. Dominic clinging to the cross. In fact, it’s probably one of my favorite of Fra Angelico’s paintings, and it has been especially helpful to me in my prayer these past few weeks. I think what I love best is that Dominic isn’t sitting in front of the crucified Christ looking up at him or even bowing down in front of him (both perfectly good and fine ways to spend time with the crucified Christ). Rather, he is clinging to the cross as if it is an extension of Christ himself. It’s as if Dominic is so longing for Christ that he is clinging to that which is closest to him, that which also happens to be the object of his greatest torment and his greatest triumph. He is returning Christ’s love, demonstrated and effected on the cross, with his own tender love for Christ. He is embracing Christ and whatever following Christ might require. No matter what happens in life, we can’t erase the cross and all that it stands for. We can’t erase God’s act of love, God’s solidarity with us, God’s presence in the midst of suffering, and the hope that God has ensured through the triumph of the cross.
On this Good Friday, maybe take a moment or two to look at Christ on the cross, to touch Christ on the cross, to embrace Christ on the cross, to long for Christ. Rest in God’s love and allow that love to stir up a response within you. Don’t so much focus on the pain of the passion, but rather focus on the love.
