This is a cross facing the sitar case of a three storied building in an educational institution. As it stands out in a lawn, among palms and flowering bushes, I was keen to know its story.
Before the building construction the land was dedicated with prayer just before the 'ground breaking’. There were many trees to be cut to lay the foundation for the building. The trees yielded to be cut, to let the building come up for generations of students to study and advance in their lives of knowledge and service. An engineer, seems to have remarked that, ‘let us a cross here to remind others there was some ’suffering' to let the building come up.’
It is interesting how different people attribute symbolism to a cross in different ways.
I too have become more conscious of the effects of felling trees. The oxygenation of the environment gets compromised when photosynthesis is interfered with; birds lose their nesting place and food, winds become wild without the mellowing effect by tall trees, the soil becomes vulnerable to erosion; humans loose shade; the place become bare to look at…
All these and some otter losses on account of the buildings we want to construct!
So it was refreshing to hear the story associated with the symbolism associated with this cross- the losses suffered while giving space for the making of a temple of learning!
Humans need a balanced view of all situations. I felt that this cross brought that balance into focus-the loss for a gain! We tend to be skewed in our perception. There is reality larger and beyond our perception and opinion. This helps us to tread reverently in our pursuit to achieve because some would have to suffer or loose for our sake.
A five year child kept the chocolate he received in his pocket to share with his younger sister. The loss of his personal pleasure was for finding a greater pleasure by sharing.
That was the message of the cross of Jesus as well- loss for a gain, which got authenticated with the resurrection of Jesus on the third day!
M.C. Mathew(text and photo)
Before the building construction the land was dedicated with prayer just before the 'ground breaking’. There were many trees to be cut to lay the foundation for the building. The trees yielded to be cut, to let the building come up for generations of students to study and advance in their lives of knowledge and service. An engineer, seems to have remarked that, ‘let us a cross here to remind others there was some ’suffering' to let the building come up.’
It is interesting how different people attribute symbolism to a cross in different ways.
I too have become more conscious of the effects of felling trees. The oxygenation of the environment gets compromised when photosynthesis is interfered with; birds lose their nesting place and food, winds become wild without the mellowing effect by tall trees, the soil becomes vulnerable to erosion; humans loose shade; the place become bare to look at…
All these and some otter losses on account of the buildings we want to construct!
So it was refreshing to hear the story associated with the symbolism associated with this cross- the losses suffered while giving space for the making of a temple of learning!
Humans need a balanced view of all situations. I felt that this cross brought that balance into focus-the loss for a gain! We tend to be skewed in our perception. There is reality larger and beyond our perception and opinion. This helps us to tread reverently in our pursuit to achieve because some would have to suffer or loose for our sake.
A five year child kept the chocolate he received in his pocket to share with his younger sister. The loss of his personal pleasure was for finding a greater pleasure by sharing.
That was the message of the cross of Jesus as well- loss for a gain, which got authenticated with the resurrection of Jesus on the third day!
M.C. Mathew(text and photo)
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