Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are invited to reflect on the profound significance of the cross in our lives as Catholic Christians. It is a symbol that speaks of suffering, sacrifice, and ultimately, salvation. Today’s readings provide a rich tapestry of themes that connect our human experience to divine action in history, culminating in the self-offering of Jesus Christ.
In the first reading from the Book of Numbers, we encounter the Israelites in the desert, grumbling against God and Moses. Their journey has been long and arduous, and their patience has worn thin; they cry out in despair, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert?” In their discontent, the Lord permits serpents to invade their camp as a consequence of their lack of faith and gratitude. What follows is a moment of repentance. The people acknowledge their sin and ask Moses to intercede with God.
Here, we see an important lesson about accountability and humility. The Israelites recognized their need for divine mercy. In response to their cries, God instructs Moses to create a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Bronze represents something that lasts.
Whereas the biting and chastising serpents came and went, the bronze serpent representing Christ and his passion, i.e., his love for us, last forever. Anyone who is bitten must look upon this serpent to be healed. This image of the cross foreshadows the ultimate act of salvation that will come through Jesus.
Saint Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, describes the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and his obedience unto death, even death on a cross. In this we see not only humility but also the exaltation that follows. Jesus, who is fully divine, does not cling to his status but rather takes on the humility of humanity to save us. This act of self-emptying—kenosis, as Paul calls it—reveals the heart of God’s love: a love that does not seek power or dominion but rather embraces suffering for the sake of others.
As we traverse the journey of our own lives, we often identify with the Israelites. We experience moments of doubt, grumbling, and exhaustion. Our struggles may lead us to question God's presence and purpose. Yet today, we are reminded that in times of darkness and despair, it is the cross that offers us hope and healing. Just as the bronze serpent lifted in the desert brought physical healing, so too does the crucifixion bring about spiritual redemption and when we look at our Lord God upon the cross, we too allow him to begin healing our brokenness and illuminating our own trials and suffering.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. This profound truth invites us to reflect on our relationship with the cross. It is not merely an object of suffering but a glorious testament to God's love. The cross represents the culmination of God’s desire to reconcile humanity to Himself.
As we celebrate this feast, let us embrace the cross not only as a symbol of sacrifice but as a call to love and service in our own lives. It challenges us to die to our old selves and rise with Christ to walk in newness of life. We are invited to carry our crosses, not in despair, but in joyful anticipation of the resurrection.
May the Holy Cross be our beacon of hope, guiding us to share this incredible gift of love with the world around us, so that every knee may bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
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