Sorrow to Celebration

Below is a Lenten season reflection on the crosses and colors adorning the Second-Ponce campus.

Sorrow to Celebration by Rev. John Uldrick

Images are important, aren’t they? Can you think of visuals that deliver powerful messages in your own life? What about a red and black ‘G’ or a gold and black yellow jacket? Just a glimpse of those images unearths the pride, emotion and history of hundred-years-old institutions … and plenty of football game memories!
 
The empty cross is a strong symbol, too, isn’t it; an image more meaningful for Christians than anything collegiate, cultural or familial. During Lent, two crosses appear on our church campus in preparation for Easter--one by the Welcome center entrance and the other on our front lawn. Both crosses are plain and empty because we serve a Risen Lord, but in the next few weeks, you’ll notice them draped in purple, then black and eventually white. These colored visual cues are images of Kingship and passion (purple) during Lent, sacrifice, sorrow and loss (black) around Good Friday and resurrection and everlasting life (white) on Easter Sunday! Hallelujah!
 
Speaking of Easter Sunday, Second-Ponce has a tradition of “flowering the cross”—covering it in fresh blooms and greenery—as a visual reminder of rebirth, fragrance and new life. We encourage each household to bring flowers and attach them to the Welcome Center cross before worship. After the service, this living cross becomes a beautiful backdrop for Easter photos, and there will be refreshing lemonade, too!
 
As we journey to Easter, may the symbol and colors of the empty cross prepare our hearts to boldly celebrate the Risen Christ and exuberantly share the love of our Savior!