A LENTEN PILGRIMAGE Rev. Fr. K M George
The ancient medical symbol of a snake entwining a vertical rod is familiar to us. Used still in the modern medical profession in different forms it is given various interpretations. In one version it is referred to as the symbol of the Greek god Asclepius, the god of healing and renewal of life. Since a snake periodically sloughs off its outer body layer, it is said to represent renewal and return to youthful life. It is also an ambiguous symbol since the physicians and their medicines remain in between life and death; they can either heal or kill.
It is remarkable that in the Book of Numbers a similar symbolism is associated with the brazen serpent raised by Moses in the middle of the camp of Israelites for the healing of those bitten by poisonous snakes. (Numbers 21:9). It was a curse against those who rebelled against God during their forty years of wandering in the desert. The very symbol of curse became the symbol of healing. This is further taken up by Christ, the heavenly physician, in His incarnate life:
"As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself"
(John 12:32)
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the son of Man will be lifted up."
(John 3:14)
In the Orthodox Syriac liturgical tradition we symbolically enact this saying of Christ by erecting a wooden cross on a raised wooden stand in the middle of the nave of the church on mid-Lent Wednesday.
The centre of the church representing Space, and the midpoint of the Lent representing Time are significant. They stand for our life span and the space of the universe. So the life-giving Cross of Christ, the Tree of Life that heals nations, is planted at the very centre of Space and Time. 
Every believer who enters the church is instructed to kiss the red trapping of the cross in repentance and hope. We need to take this symbol of the Cross of Christ, our Healer-Saviour, to our heart, the innermost core of our existence.
When in danger human beings usually look outside for any help. When we are about to drown we desperately stretch out our hands and look out for something to hold on to. But in our spiritual life we will come to a point where we cannot find anything or anybody from outside to come and help us. All that we depend on, or put our trust in, will vanish. In the thick darkness we will grope around for outer light, but we have only the inner light to enlighten us. Therefore, we need to implant the cross in our heart so that we can draw healing and life from this inexhaustible inner fountain, the very source of our being.
In the Lenten period we make a special effort to weave our life round the cross of Christ, and search for the inner light of Jesus amidst the surrounding darkness of suffering and hopelessness.
We cannot by any means ignore the suffering of people, those who crave for a touch of healing, and those who dwell in the dark shadows of death. Lifting up the cross of Christ that radiates healing and hope, light and life is the holy task that we take up these days.
The centre of the church representing Space, and the midpoint of the Lent representing Time are significant. They stand for our life span and the space of the universe. So the life-giving Cross of Christ, the Tree of Life that heals nations, is planted at the very centre of Space and Time.
Every believer who enters the church is instructed to kiss the red trapping of the cross in repentance and hope. We need to take this symbol of the Cross of Christ, our Healer-Saviour, to our heart, the innermost core of our existence. When in danger human beings usually look outside for any help. When we are about to drown we desperately stretch out our hands and look out for something to hold on to. But in our spiritual life we will come to a point where we cannot find anything or anybody from outside to come and help us. All that we depend on, or put our trust in, will vanish. In the thick darkness we will grope around for outer light, but we have only the inner light to enlighten us. Therefore, we need to implant the cross in our heart so that we can draw healing and life from this inexhaustible inner fountain, the very source of our being.
In the Lenten period we make a special effort to weave our life round the cross of Christ, and search for the inner light of Jesus amidst the surrounding darkness of suffering and hopelessness.
We cannot by any means ignore the suffering of people, those who crave for a touch of healing, and those who dwell in the dark shadows of death. Lifting up the cross of Christ that radiates healing and hope, light and life is the holy task that we take up these days.
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