Question 4 U: What is the difference between a cross and a crucifix?

Thanks to Nicholas from Maine in the USA for this question

Great question, Nicholas!  Let's look at the difference.

Can you spot the BIG difference?  We'll give you a hint.  It's not the color or the shape.  Come on, it's still summer but start those brain cells.  You're starting school soon so exercise your noggin.

If you said Jesus is one and not on the other, you are right. 

A cross is just what it says:  a cross.  Christian churches from around the world use the cross as a symbol of Jesus dying and rising from the dead.  There are oodles of different type of crosses.  Here are a few:

This is a High Cross from places like Ireland and Great Britain.

This is the Papal Cross.  Papal means belonging to the Pope.

St. Bridget's Cross.  It's sometimes made from reeds.

The crucifix is a cross with Jesus' corpus (or body in English) on it.  All Catholic churches have a crucifix in the building.

Many people will tell you that Catholics are just "crucifying Jesus again and again" by wearing a crucifix necklace or hanging one on your wall.  Of course, that is just plain silly talk.  Just like ginormus statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC or the Statue of Liberty, figures remind of the things in the past.  Jesus is certainly not getting crucified all the time.  Don't you think once is enough?  We look at the crucifix to remind us of the suffering and agony Jesus did for us.

Now your brain is all geared up and ready for school. :(