Occasionally, when the Spirit moves and one is available, I have been known to give a small gift to the bride and groom on the day of their wedding. I give them a crucifix. A crucifix is the cross with a body hanging on it. Although most send a note of thanks, I often wonder where those couples end up putting that crucifix.

The question came to my mind again last night at RCIA, our parish sessions for people who are flirting with the Catholic Faith for one reason or another. Someone asked why we Catholics make such a big deal about blessing rings at the wedding ceremony.

Leo raised his hand. Can I tell you a story? Leo is an old time Catholic. He decided to come, “Just to see if there was anything new I could learn.” He came with his buddy who said he’d joined the church years ago but didn’t really get much formal instruction, and it was finally time to find out about his Catholic Faith!

Taking his wedding ring off his finger, Leo cradled it in his hand as a jeweler would hold the world’s most precious diamond. “I have worn this ring ever since the day the priest blessed it at our wedding. When our little daughter fell and hit her head, a welt swelled up like a goose egg right in the middle of her forehead. I watched my wife scoop her into her arms, take off her wedding ring and lovingly trace the sign of the cross on her daughter’s wound. It slowly disappeared before my eyes. This blessed ring has the power of Jesus!”

Without thinking, I responded, “You have the power of Jesus! That ring is just a golden reminder of the power of your married love. Your love for each other is the healing love of Jesus, the perfect Bridegroom.”

I have been to their home and have eaten at their table. The crucifix hangs on their wall, in plain sight. Leo, however, was quick to confess that not every day of their marriage is joyful bliss. Like every other healthy human relationship, they have their struggles and trials too. But, only people who really care will choose to enter the struggle it takes to grow and mature well together.

Leo reminded me of another tradition in their family. On her wedding day, their oldest daughter asked if she could hold the crucifix as they said their vows. “That was her idea, not ours!” Leo quickly added. My advice to every parent regarding their adult children, “We can do two things for sure. Invite and set the example.” Each of that bride’s siblings chose to hold that crucifix on their wedding day.

I often think of how Jesus patiently loved Peter through his struggle of growing into the lover that Jesus called him to be. This same Bridegroom has empowered Leo and his bride to become faithful and fruitful healers. That cross over their table held the body of the Bridegroom whose touch truly heals to this very day.

Talk, as they say, is cheap. Putting our lives on the line... hanging in there when times are tough... being there for others when they aren’t there for us... bringing our lives to the Cross, that’s what makes us real men, real women. That’s what makes true family. That’s what makes our house a home. That’s what Church is. That IS Eucharist.

Bringing our lives to the Cross of Jesus is power, a power that will save us and invites those we love to do the same.

Bringing our lives to Sunday Eucharist every Sunday and not just when it fits our schedule, standing before that great crucifix, taking in the words of Jesus, kneeling at his altar, reaching out our hands for the Body and Blood of Christ is power.

We become his flesh and blood presence in the world to which we return for another week.

Please take your Cross seriously this Lent. In today’s lingo, “Man up!” (Woman up!) Lead your kids to their cross by bringing your life to that Cross! Make this a real Lent.

If it has been a long time, and especially if it has been a long time, be willing to confess your sins honestly and fully to the priest who might be a sinful man, but whose hands have power to forgive because Jesus gave that power to his imperfect Church. What greater invitation can we possibly give those we love than to lead them to the Cross?

We Catholics refer to symbols such as crosses, crucifixes and wedding rings as sacramentals. They are reminders of what we are to be: living signs, sacraments to the world of God in the flesh. Sacramentals remind us of what true love is: total commitment. You and I may not lead perfect lives. We simply must be known as folks who do our best to practice our faith in the power of Jesus.

What power you and I have to heal those we love if only we could have the guts to bring our lives to the Cross!

Have a great Lent 2011.