Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the first reading today from Numbers 21, we see a bit of typology. God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. Whenever someone looked at it, they would be healed of their bite from a serpent. This was a foreshadowing of the cross of Christ. In fact, Jesus mentions this very passage in today’s Gospel reading from John 3.
Jesus said many times that His disciples would have to carry their cross, just as He carried His. We know that the cross of Christ was heavy – not only physically, but it was laden with our sins. And yet He bore that cross with grace and perseverance.
The cross may be the most well known symbol in history. But for us Christians, it is much more than just a symbol. It is a reality. The cross that we carry, like Christ’s, is burdensome. It is difficult to celebrate or exalt. Yet the cross leads to redemption. This is why we exalt the Holy Cross of Christ today. It reminds me of an old saying: You can’t get to the resurrection without going through the Cross. It was true for Christ; it is true for us.
Father, as we exalt the Cross of Christ, we thank you for our cross today. May we carry ours with the same grace and dignity as did your Son. Amen.
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