FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
First Reading: | Numbers 21:4b-9 |
Second Reading: | Philippians 2:6-11 |
Gospel: | John 3:13-17 |
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Jesus said to Nicodemus: “No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life 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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
The cross is not just a piece of wood or a religious symbol; it is the greatest declaration of love the world has ever known. From the beginning of time, humanity has struggled with sin, selfishness, and separation from God. We often try to build our own paths toward meaning like, through achievements, wealth, relationships, or recognition, but these roads eventually leave us empty. Into this brokenness, God stepped down, not to condemn, but to save. He chose the way of the cross, a way that reveals how far He is willing to go to rescue us.
The cross was an instrument of pain and shame, yet it became the ultimate sign of hope and victory. In offering His Son, God turned what was a symbol of death into a bridge of life. Think about it: when we were at our worst, God gave His best. He did not wait until humanity was perfect or worthy; He acted in love at our lowest point. This is a love that does not measure, does not calculate, and does not withdraw. It is a love that gives fully, even when it costs everything. The Cross shows us that love is not merely a feeling or a fleeting emotion—it is a decision to give, to sacrifice, and to remain faithful. It is love poured out without condition, without limit, and without regret. In the shadow of the Cross, we see the heart of God laid bare: a love that redeems, heals, and invites us to do the same.