Reflection on the Feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD of GOD

John 3: 16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Introduction:

We celebrate this Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross for 2 Reasons: (1) To Understand the History of the Discovery & Recovery of the True Cross

(2) To Appreciate Better the Importance of the Symbol & Reality of CHRIST'S Sacrificial Love, namely, the Cross in the Daily Life of Every Christian.

History: The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is One of 12 “Master Feasts” Celebrated in the CHURCH to Honour JESUS CHRIST, Our LORD & Master. This Feast is Celebrated to Memorialize the 1st Installation of the Remnants of the True Cross of JESUS in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher at Mount Calvary, September 14, AD 335, & Its reinstallation on Sept 14, AD 630. The Original Cross on which JESUS was Crucified was Excavated in AD 326 by a Team led by St. Helena, the Mother of the 1st Christian Roman Emperor, Constantine. The Emperor Built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher on Calvary, It was Consecrated on September 14, AD 335, & the Remains of the Cross were Installed in It by Archbishop Maccharios of Jerusalem.

The Largest Fragment of the Holy Cross is now Kept in Santa Croce Church in Rome.

The 1st Reading Today Describes how GOD Healed the Complaining Israelites through the Brazen Serpent. In Today’s Gospel, Answering the Question Raised by Nicodemus, JESUS Cites the Example of how, when the Israelites were in the Desert, the Impaled Brazen Serpent (Representing the Healing Power of GOD), which GOD Commanded Moses to Raise, Saved from Death the Serpent-Bitten Israelites who Looked at It (Numbers 21: 4-9). Then JESUS Explains how HE is Going to Save the World by Dying on the Cross.


Life Messages:

1) We should Honour & Venerate the Cross & Carry It on Our Person to Remind Ourselves of the Love of GOD for Us & the Price JESUS Paid for Our Salvation.

2) The Cross will Give Us Strength in Our Sufferings & Remind Us of Our Hope of Eternal Glory with the Risen LORD.

3) We should Bless Ourselves with the Sign of the Cross to Remind Ourselves that We Belong to CHRIST JESUS & to Honour the Most Holy Trinity,  the Triune GOD to Bless Us, Save Us & Protect Us.

4) The Crucifix should Remind Us that We are Forgiven Sinners &, hence, We are Expected to Forgive Those who Offend Us & to Ask for Forgiveness Whenever We Offend Others or Hurt Their Feelings.


Good Morning

GOD Bless Us All Today Alleluia!

Happy Feast to U All.