Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross where the cross is held high for all the world to see. This cross is, after all, the instrument from which our salvation has been won for us.
From the Book of Numbers we were told of Moses who lifted high the seraph which was mounted upon the pole. Those who looked at it, even if bitten, would live. So too we as Christians are able to look upon the cross and we thou touched by the reality of sin are able to live.
The crucifix is an image of Christ’s redemptive act. Whenever we look at such an image our mind should be taken to the total outpouring of love that Christ has for us. He was willing to lay down His life in order that we may be redeemed. Saint Pail spoke of this in our Epistle for “he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.”
Saint Rose of Lima stated, “Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven.” This past Sunday we were invited from the Gospel of Saint Luke to take up this cross, “whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”
Therefore, despite all the Lord has done for us we are given the option to rebuke this cross. In rebuking the cross we rebuke the Lord and the love that He has shown for us. By entering into our own interests at the cost of the cross we cannot find ourself in Heaven. For words of the Gospel of Saint Matthew, “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”
As we further celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross let us come to grow in our love for the cross. It is not just a simple pendant that is worn around one’s neck, but is a way of life. The more that we are found willing to enter into the mystery of the cross the more that we are able to grow in love.
The cross is truly something which is irksome, but through it we are given life. Let us hold high the cross and looking upon it dare to live as a Christian, instead of so easily compromising the life of faith to pursue the ways of this world. With every cross that we must endure we are able to look outward towards the hope of the Resurrection. This is the joy which we must pursue and it can only be made manifest if we are willing to embrace the cross which has been held high for us.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross you have redeemed the world.
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