Just yesterday the Church celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Today our Blessed Lord reminded us of the importance of the Holy Cross by stating, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Other faith traditions often find the Catholic use of the cross to be confusing. They exclaim that the Lord has risen and ascended into Heaven and thus no longer found upon it. To leave the Lord crucified is to lose sight of such hope. The Church never rejects the resurrection and ascension of the Lord. These mysteries of faith are proclaimed by us in the Mass and throughout the liturgical year.
Rather, the cross is an important reminder of the salvation that has been won for us upon it. Through it we can look upon the infinite depths of His love as He died for us. This is a most wondrous love that has set us free from sin and death. By looking upon we can see that the life of the Christian is not so simple and thus we are to join ourself unto Him in order that we may triumph over all that we undergo in this life.
Saint Josemaria Escriva stated of the cross, “We love- we should love- the Cross sincerely, because where the Cross is, there is Christ with his Love, his presence that fills everything.”
These are wise words for they turn the burden of the cross into a joy. The Lord invited us to enter into the cross. This is something that is difficult, but through it we are given life. The cross is sprinkled into every life, but we don’t have to embrace it and enter into relationship with Him. That must be our choice. In taking up the cross we are not left alone, but enter into a relationship with Him.
The cross ought to be something that we surround ourself with as a sacramental. A sacramental directs our mind unto God and assist us in remaining open to the gift of His grace. Is there a crucifix in your home? In the major rooms of your home? Is the crucifix something more then a necklace worn for style, but a way of life that elevates our sight unto the Lord?
Our Gospel is giving us an invitation to look upon the cross and to grow in our love. Through the cross we conform ourself unto Christ in order that He may live within us. If we are willing to compromise the faith we reject the cross. In the midst of every temptation we must look upon the cross in order to find the strength to turn against it. As the Lord stated in the Gospel of Saint John, “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Let us look upon the cross and be given faith to join with Him in order that we may grow in our love.
We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
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