When the flames threatened Notre Dame Cathedral, all decent people were filled with horror and sadness. Evildoers such as members of ISIS, though rejoiced especially when word first came out that it was likely to be a total loss. Yet a miracle occurred – yes miracles are still possible in the 21st century despite an unbelieving, skeptical world – and much of the cathedral’s iconic exterior including its famous towers and gargoyles survived as did a significant number of its interior treasures as well as its irreplaceable stained glass windows that are nothing short of artistic masterpieces. Even the 180,000 bees in a hive on the roof survived. Most importantly though, the gold cross at the altar, also survived providing a powerful message of hope and reassurance.

Why?

Because the cross is the ultimate symbol of the greatest love – “for there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for their friends” [John 15:13] as Jesus did on Good Friday for there was no other way since “God is love.” [1 John 4:8,16]

The cross is life since through the cross Jesus destroyed death – “My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them… Then you will know that I am the Lord… I will put my Spirit in you and you will live!” [Ezekiel 37:12,14]

Yet despite this, out of malice and depravity since there are no other ways to explain it, growing numbers of people seek to desecrate crosses that serve as monuments (to lop off their tops and convert them into "T"s) and/or remove them altogether claiming they are offended by their presence. This brings to mind the questions in the Good Friday Reproach – "My people, what have I done to you? How have I offended you?" In reality, neither a cross, nativity scene, Star of David, menorah, crescent or any other religious symbol should be viewed as offensive especially since creation and salvation are priceless gifts of love that cannot be fully grasped at or truly appreciated by our limited capacity, gifts which in reality God did not have to offer to any of us.

The cross is hope – that’s why time after time through the centuries it has survived natural disasters, 9/11 and remained standing after the Notre Dame Cathedral fire as well.

The cross is also a powerful symbol of defiance against an evil, godless world that promotes darkness and death as well as those who seek to erase all faith in the one God. This is precisely why the world seeks to persecute the Jews and destroy the Catholic Church. Wipe out the Jews and destroy the Catholic Church and the rest of Christianity becomes more vulnerable. Then when it’s eliminated especially since so many different Christian denominations ridicule each other led by a false sense of superiority, Islam will be last. The seeds of Islamic destruction are already being planted – thus the good Prophet Muhammed is falsely depicted as an evil monster by much of the world.

Mindful of the saying, “a house divided cannot stand” [Mark 3:25] it is imperative that all brothers and sisters – Muslim, Jew, and Christian stand united and refuse to allow evil to separate them from each other and the love of God so that the emptiness of atheism and humanism do not prevail.

It must always be remembered – the world wants us to die! The millions of abortions and avid support for euthanasia are the clearest examples. Worst yet, the world wants death to be complete and eternal in nature and thus it seeks to destroy all belief in God since the good news for example, expressed in 1 Timothy 1:10 “Jesus Christ has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality” is a threat to its empty and hopeless theology of lies meant to bring about permanent, unending death. This ought not be surprising since "...the whole world is [influenced by and] under the control of the evil one" [1 John 5:19] who does not have our best interests at heart, resents our very existence and seeks to deprive us of the gift of salvation extended through the cross.

It must also be remembered based on 1 John 4:5 – “The world listens to…” to those of the world. It despises people of faith, regardless of religion since in the words of John 15:19, we “do not belong to this world.” Our ultimate kingdom is in heaven.

Nevertheless, despite the world’s best efforts to exterminate faith, the answer is an unequivocal “Yes!” when Jesus asks in Luke 18:8, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on Earth?” For this reason, the cross is also a powerful symbol of victory. Good will prevail over evil, light over darkness, love over hate and life over death.

The $1 Billion in donations to restore Notre Dame Cathedral provides compelling proof. I am grateful to be included in this effort and although my contributions come no where close to those made by my 32nd Great Grandfather Constantine IX (980-1055) who during the last 13 years of his life funded the reconstruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built over the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest prior to the resurrection that was all but destroyed in 1009 as well as other key Christian places of worship in the Holy City of Jerusalem, I am still heartened to have been able to contribute something for the rebuilding of Notre Dame Cathedral. After all it is not only a cultural treasure of France, it is a global landmark especially to all of us who are believers and love God – Jew, Muslim, and Christian alike. It is our moment to make a lasting difference that will be forever inscribed in the "Book of Life" and that God will remember and cherish dearly in His most sacred heart for eternity.

Finally as the cross promises, Notre Dame Cathedral will be restored, faith will survive and ultimately victory will be ours, something to rejoice over this Passover and Easter season.


To donate: www.notredamedeparis.fr/friends/donate