Homily Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross “Jesus’ Cross is a Sign for Me”
Homily Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross “Jesus’ Cross is a Sign for Me”
St. Helena, the Mother of Constantine, is said to have found the true cross in Jerusalem in the year 324. Later part of that cross was put in the church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem so that it could be venerated by all he faithful.
In a move that was a mixture of politics and piety one third of the cross was left at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, one third was taken to Rome and one third was taken to Constantinople. It has been said that if all the slivers of the true cross that have been distributed throughout the world were brought together you cold build a good size house. Sometimes religious artifacts have a questionable history.
It is not the relic of the cross that is important, it is the meaning of the crucifixion that is important. If we contemplate the sacrifice on calvary we get a sense of the love of God for us.
When we meditate on Jesus’ cross, we try to digest what it says to us personally. Jesus’ physical suffering was extreme, but his psychological trauma had to be even worse. He was accused of a crime he did not commit. He was sold out by a friend. Jesus was deserted by his apostles. He was humiliated before the world as he hung upon the wood of the cross in his nakedness.
But then he came back from the dead. He did not come back for revenge as we might expect. No, he returned with a message of reconciliation. Just like he forgave his enemies in life, he forgave the friends who betrayed him at the time of his death. He said let’s start over.
No matter what we may do, no matter how sinful we are Jesus tells us by his cross that our sin does not have to be the end of the story. No, we can always experience redemption. That is why being Christian is so uplifting and consoling.
Reflection Questions
- What is the worst thing I have ever done? Am I still ashamed of it?
- What would Jesus say to me about my sin? Do I believe what he says?
Dear Parishioners,
This week the window of the Nativity will be reinstalled in our church. This is the last of the four largest windows at Sacred Heart. The window always catches the East Sun in the morning and the baby Jesus glows with light.
Jesus is the light of the world, so it seems appropriate that this window reflects the significance of this Theological truth. Let’s pray for all those children who are so deprived in our world this day.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark