As a youth minister, what is the one thing you hope your teens think of when they look at the crucifix? What is it about the cross of Christ that you hope they see, feel, or realize?
During Holy Week, Catholics everywhere reflect upon the image of Christ crucified and everything that comes with it — the pain and sorrow, the love and mercy, the unfairness and cruelty, the power and glory. It is the most tragic and beautiful mystery of our faith that God would allow his Son to be executed at the hands of sinners to save sinners and that the Son would remain there in humble obedience, arms wide open.
Teens can have any number of reactions to the cross. Every once in a while, they could look at the crucifix hanging in your parish’s sanctuary, on their rosary, or from their family vehicle’s rearview mirror, and instead of giving it a passing glance as usual, start to wonder what it means to them personally. Maybe they’re confused and appalled by it and think, “Why do we focus so much on Jesus’ death as Catholics?” Or maybe they had something shift in their heart recently, and now they think, “How is it possible for God to love me that much?”
Wherever teens are in their faith life, a youth minister’s job is to lead them to Jesus’s cross, help them embrace their own, and trust God to take it from there. Perhaps you have your own prayer or message about the Passion of our Lord that you would like to share with your teens this sacred time of year. If you’re looking for additional perspectives, here is what other youth ministers say to their teens about what the cross means to them.
| Yes, the cross is the symbol of our victory, the victory over death that Jesus won for us, but it is also our reminder that Jesus is willing. He is willing to come into our lives, our mess, our struggles, our suffering, and into the depths of our hearts to show, or prove, how much we are loved.
– Louie Latina |
| For me, the cross is Jesus saying, “I’m with you in the mess,” revealing God’s constant presence, loving me, forgiving me, and making my suffering holy when I offer it up to him.
– Francine Costantini |
| To me, the cross is freedom. Freedom from the violence and suffering Jesus went through — that I am forgiven and worthy to be.
– Harrison Trubitt |
| When I think of the cross, I see a wounded victor. A lesson that my wounds of hurt, betrayal, and let-downs aren’t the end of my story either. In Christ, my wounds produce glory, too.
The cross shows me the way to love requires everything. No holding back. Jesus gave it all for me to learn his love for me and how to love others. – Laura Fisher |
| When I see Jesus on the cross, I see love in action. It helps remind me that sometimes, the best way to express love is to sacrifice.
– Fr. Chris Turner |
| Even if I were the only person on the planet, Jesus still would have given his life for me.
– Jonah Soucy |
| The cross reminds me that I am not alone in my times of suffering. He gets it.
– Katie Gunkle |
| The cross reminds me that I don’t have to carry my burdens alone. Even Jesus, the God-Man, stumbled under the weight of his cross and accepted help from Simon of Cyrene. If he wasn’t afraid to lean on others, then I shouldn’t be either. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to not be perfect.
– Kenn deMoll |
| The cross communicates to me ultimate sacrifice and absolute love. It is both a source of strength and a call to live out my faith with humility, compassion, and devotion.
– Tammy Mansveld |
| To the end. The cross reminds me that his love is boundless, not bound by my capacity but his. Do I pick up my cross in response?
– Nick Johnson |
| The cross is God’s ultimate declaration of love — showing that no sin, suffering, or distance is too great for him to overcome in order to reach us. It’s where mercy met justice, and Jesus chose our lives over his comfort, turning a symbol of death into the doorway to eternal hope and healing.
– Jason Manley |
May God bless you and your teens this holy season to experience the love and mercy of his Son.
