I was at a funeral Mass this morning and the priest told a story that really struck me. I don't know if I'll look at a crucifix exactly the same way again.
He said that about 10-20 years ago he was giving instructions to some seventh graders during Holy Week when one of the students raised his hand and asked what the letters INRI meant on top of the crucifix. The priest explained that a crucified criminal had a sign placed over his head to let everyone know what he had done to receive such a punishment. INRI is a latin acronym that means "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
After this explanation the boy said, "When I was little I used to think it meant, 'I'll never regret it.'"
Throughout the mass I just kept looking at the crucifix and it really greatly impressed on me how much God truly loves us.
He said that about 10-20 years ago he was giving instructions to some seventh graders during Holy Week when one of the students raised his hand and asked what the letters INRI meant on top of the crucifix. The priest explained that a crucified criminal had a sign placed over his head to let everyone know what he had done to receive such a punishment. INRI is a latin acronym that means "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
After this explanation the boy said, "When I was little I used to think it meant, 'I'll never regret it.'"
Throughout the mass I just kept looking at the crucifix and it really greatly impressed on me how much God truly loves us.