Tomorrow our parish will celebrate its Homecoming Weekend. This day was set aside by our bishop in order to give thanks to God for all that has been entrusted to us. Some may have issue giving thanks when there is still so much taking place within this world that is off kilter. There are so many who have been effected by natural disaster, there is everything that is taking place in Afghanistan, and we even have the rise of COVID numbers which are taking place.
Nevertheless, I still believe that we have a lot to be thankful for. Even the word “Eucharist” means to give thanks. When we come here for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we always give thanks to God. All of these burdens of our everyday society are very real, but from the cross always springs forth something so much greater. Therefore, the Lord instructs us: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Saint John Vianney had stated: “All our miseries come of our not loving the cross. It is the fear of crosses which gives weight to the cross.” In the Book of Exodus the people who look upon the serpent which was lifted up by Moses were healed. So too are we healed when we dare to gaze upon the cross. This Tuesday, September 14th, is even the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross which has been set aside to remind us of precisely this.
The cross is a gift which has been extended into our life. The cross is of benefit to us because through it God has taken everything unto Himself and out of love laid down His life as second Person of the Most Holy Trinity in order that we may be saved. The Lord invites us to enter into this saving action by coming to embrace the cross for ourself.
So many want to avoid the cross, but the cross is a part of our everyday life. Each time that we embrace the cross the more we come to know Christ, love Christ, and desire serve Him by our life. If the Lord’s Passion had never happened there would be nothing for us to be thankful for, but as Christians we know the reality of the cross and resurrection and because of this we have every reason to rejoice.
Natural disasters, disease, war, and death will sadly continue to be a part of our human condition. Nevertheless, through the cross we have so much to be thankful for. Let us look upon the cross this day and rejoice that God’s love is so great that we have been redeemed. When we must embrace the cross in this life let us do so with a cheerful heart and let us be filled with the virtue of hope for what lies in wait for us.
Let us continue to pray for our parish community as we continue to give thanks for all that God has given us.
