Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
One of the most important concepts in marketing is visibility. The same is true in the realm of commercial real estate. Location, location, location. The things that are valuable to us and the things that we desire are the things that are exposed to us; they are the things that we see. In our discipleship, it is no different. As disciples, we are attracted to the invisible love that has been made visible to us on the cross.
No authentic love is satisfied to just give information. The information of an occasional “I love you” eventually falls short if not supported by actions and visible proofs of that love. So, we buy cards for our loved ones on their birthday. Perhaps we get them flowers on Valentine’s Day. Or maybe we just make our wife her favorite dinner on a random Tuesday night with no ulterior motive at work. Humanity is drawn to visible proofs and signs of love. In fact, we need them; we need them because we encounter reality through the senses. With God, as is evidenced in today’s readings, it is no different. God doesn’t want to just tell me that He loves me. He wants to show me! Therefore, with this thought in mind, please allow the following words from today’s Gospel to echo in your heart and mind: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The name alone seems to be a contradiction in terms. But it is precisely by the humanity of Jesus, climaxing on Holy Cross, that God’s love became the most visible. Now, I know what God’s love looks like. By the cross, God’s love has form and is immediately identifiable and recognizable. I can see it! And just as the people bitten by a serpent looked upon the bronze serpent and lived, so I live by looking upon the now-visible love of God. This visible love demands not just a passing glance, but a gaze that draws us into the person of Christ Himself.
The visible image of God is powerful. But how often do we put God in our own image with the appearances and forms that are most convenient to us? Today’s reading from Philippians reminds us that God was found not only human in appearance, but also took the form of a slave. Even with regard to His humanity, God humbles himself even further so that there would be no mistake as to what His love looks like. Therefore, in the Holy Cross, we see not just a sign of love but a cause and a call to love likewise. Today, let us not just exalt the cross by simply acknowledging a crucifix, but rather by uplifting the impoverished, the abandoned, the broken-hearted, the injured, the abused, the neglected, and the devalued. Let us pray for peace and may we take action to be an incarnation of God’s visible love. Amen.
- Ryan J. Mahle