That supreme relic of Austrian Culture

On this first day of the year and feast day of our Lady, Mother of God, I believe it is fitting to point out to all who will be coming to Gaming the supreme relic of Austrian Catholic Culture: The CROSS.

I love it. There are literally crosses everywhere here in Austria...

There are crosses on the sides of roads, in little chapels and magnificent basilicas. They are in schools, restaurants, huts, city halls, on bridges, and placed in blessings over the doorways of homes.

One place in particular -- my favorite place (other than in a church) -- to find these crosses are on the tops of mountains. From there noble and lofty perch, they loom over the ridge with all their inherent glory and contradiction. After hiking miles and sometimes hours, the sight of that cross on the summit cannot be overestimated. Often famished, sweating, jubilant, triumphant, heart palpitating, and smiling, the cross is there to welcome you as if you were in paradise itself awaiting the crucified and risen savior. It is truly a sign of victory -- the victory of having conquered the mountain -- but also of the greatest victory there ever was and ever will be.

Nor can the sacrifice of the brave men who raised the cross be forgotten. I think of the men, who in erecting the cross, worked hours carrying, climbing, and building to give glory to their God and to celebrate the fact that he came into this world through a women like us, Mary--the mother of God. In other words, the cross is a reminder for me of our call to keep Christ as the focus of everything we do, be in work, leisure, or prayer.

As an avid hiker, I eagerly await the cross when I hike. It is usually a midpoint and an "high-point" in the trip as it signals the destination and the turnaround point. For all those who will be arriving in two weeks, I hope you too will enjoy these beautiful and meaningful crosses here on the roads, in the churches, and on the tips of mountains.

To end, I recount the fitting words from the eastern Liturgy:

O Virgin Mother and True Theotokos

without seed thou hast borne Christ our God

who was lifted in the flesh upon the cross

We and all the faithful, as is right,

magnify thee with thy Son.