Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross
(Numbers 21:4b-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:3-17)
Paradoxes are realities that defy common sense but are
nevertheless true. It is a paradox that
in the Communication Age, when everyone has a personal telephone, it is
increasingly harder to reach another by phone.
The cross presents another paradox.
Although we may not think of it in this way, in early
Christianity a cross signified death. In
fact, it represented one of the most brutal deaths imaginable. Christ’s death on the cross, however, changed
that. At least Christians see the cross
as salvation. As Paul says in today’s
reading from Philippians, the cross is the ultimate display of humility by
Christ and also the cause of his (and our) exultation.
Today we celebrate the cross which saves us from oblivion. We give thanks to God for sending His Son to
make the ultimate sacrifice of forgiveness and for teaching us how to live
according to His will.
