Veiling the cross is like our practice of putting away the word “Alleluia” during Lent. It reminds us that Lent is a penitential season, that is, a season when we strip away some things in our lives so that we can see sin clearly, repent of it and confess it. We are reminded of the sackcloth and ashes that penitent Jews put on their heads when they were dealing with a serious sin. The veil underlines our separation from God; we do not perceive God clearly because of sin.
But veiling has a flip side, a reminder of the veil that Moses puts over his face because he has seen God and is overcome by the glory. We are reminded of the words of Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” At Easter, the veil will come off, and like the disciples who finally recognize Jesus after walking with him on the road to Emmaus, we will see the risen Lord, our salvation from sin.
Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park 
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