Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast traces back to when St. Helena discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem during a pilgrimage in the Holy Land. The Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher was built on that site and the cross was soon venerated.
In Jesus and the first Christians’ day, decaying bodies hung on crosses that stood outside city walls. They were a warning to those who would go against Roman authorities, including Christians who refused to sacrifice to Roman gods. However, Christians celebrate the cross as a symbol of life and victory. Considering that the cross represented death, suffering, and punishment, this seems ironic. How does a method of execution become a symbol of redemption? Well, the Gospels are full of reversals. For example, the deaf hear, the blind see, and the dead come to life through Jesus’ healings. He calms down storms in the Sea of Galilee. The lowly in society are the ones who understand the Gospel message most, not the most religious and erudite. Therefore, this feast reveals to us the good news of God’s love and mercy for all people, even those who are sinful and the most despised. Redemption and love are not earned and deserved but given freely to all those who wish to receive it. Jesus did not come “to condemn the world”. Likewise, this feast can challenge and inspire us to not judge, make assumptions about, or “condemn” others. When someone does or says something we do not like, we are reminded that God loves that person just as much as God loves us.
This feast can also guide us as to how we are to live as Jesus Christ’s disciples. Jesus endured suffering and pain on the cross. Similarly, we are to face difficult and painful experiences and problems with hope. The cross represents Jesus’ victory over death and thus reminds us that love triumphs over hate and life conquers death. We are called to live that out.
The second reading is about Jesus’ humility. Jesus, though he was God, did not act as if he was above everything else. Instead, he became human and emptied himself. As a cradle Catholic, I have often taken this for granted. However, I recall a dialogue I was a part of with people of different faiths. One person who was Muslim expressed that he couldn’t understand why God would want to be human. It was then that I realized not only the uniqueness of Christianity but also how humbling it is for God to become human and join us on earth. We are called to emulate the humility Jesus had.
As we celebrate this feast, let us reflect on our call to hope, be humble, and love as God does.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI