Constantine ordered that churches be built on the spot, together covering not only the place of crucifixion but also the tomb of the resurrection, and there they remained until they were demolished and rebuilt in the 11th century, roughly as it is today. There are no traces now of the three crosses. But pilgrims who visit Jerusalem often plunge their hands and arms into a hole in the ground inside the church to touch the underlying bed-rock where it is thought Jesus’s cross must have come to rest. What a moment that has been for many over the centuries!
Today is Holy Cross Day, which has its origin very early in the Christian era. Originally, it commemorated Helena finding the cross. The original cross is said to have proved its provenance by healing people. But it is a much more durable and significant power that we celebrate today. That is the latent power of the cross and all it symbolises to change the world. And that power is the subtle power of humility.
St Paul, as we have just heard, quotes an ancient hymn, as he writes: ‘Christ Jesus . . . emptied himself, taking the form of a slave . . . . And being found in human form, he humbled himself and because obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross’.
Our late Queen, while accepting and embracing the role and responsibilities laid upon her, demonstrated humility, constantly stooping to conquer the hearts of her subjects and showing the true way of love. In contrast, when Christians or the Christian Church, or human beings generally, stand on our dignity and vie for power, they have thrown away our true potential. When we react with humility and generous love, we can win the world by the example of our Lord.
