On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
Why do Catholic churches and even some homes display crosses with Christ’s body on them? It’s kind of gross. My Protestant friends’ churches have a simple cross.
The crucifix is an integral part of Catholic churches and many Catholic homes. It reminds us of Christ’s suffering for us and for our 
sins.
Sometimes, we are inclined to brush past that torment to the wonder of Easter… or to think Jesus didn’t feel the same agony we would have because he is God, after all. But while he was God on that cross, he was also fully human, and felt the pain of the spear and the nails and the scourging. To get to the glory of the resurrection, he had to go through the crucifixion… and, in some ways, so must we as we are called to pick up our own crosses and follow the Lord.
It is a powerful thing, to contemplate what Jesus willingly suffered to redeem us. It puts our own pain into perspective and makes it easier to bear, and helps us grow in love and faith.
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