Gospel & Reflection for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
John 3:13‐17
Jesus said to Nicodemus – ‘No one has gone up to heaven except the one who came down from heaven, the Son of Man who is in heaven; and the Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life. For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved.’
Reflection
It was frightening and sickening, in equal measure, to see the scenes coming from America this week. Charlie Kirk, a Christian conservative activist, was assassinated in front of his family and many others, for all the world to see. I have followed him on social media for many years and his articulation, logic, and friendliness; his willingness to converse with all, his courage and conviction with his faith and beliefs were admirable. We need more like him.
His murder I think, was not so much because of what he had to say, even though many vehemently opposed his views, it was more because many more were listening, especially the young. While there is extreme elements who feel that they can control and dictate the agenda and the popular opinion; that they can decide who listens and what they should listen to, people like Charlie Kirk were courageous and bold enough to make sure that their sincere beliefs and opinions would not be controlled or silenced in any way. We need more like him.
Killing someone so publicly is of course a form of fear and control. It is saying that this is what might happen to us if we go against the status quo. Such fear and control are nothing new. The Romans were experts in it and their greatest weapon of control and fear was the cross and crucifixion. They mastered crucifixion not just as an extreme form of torture and death but also as a way of controlling the masses.
Having conquered any region, country or people, very quickly they repressed any resistance to their rule and presence through crucifixion. They would crucify people outside city gates or on the road leading into a city, town or village. It was a vivid image reminding locals and visitors that this is what happens should you stand or rise against us. It achieved its purpose and did so, quickly. Achieved it that is, until they crucified Christ.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was also an attempt to silence, eradicate, and control. But because of His death on the Cross, and then His resurrection, ever since we look upon the Cross and we do not see tragedy, we do not hear silence, nor do we experience fear or coercion. When we look at the Cross, when we exalt the Cross, we do so not for its cruelty but for its loud manifestation of God’s love and beauty, His truth and hope.
On the cross, though bloodied and battered in appearance, the beauty of Jesus’ life and mission was never more radiant. Through the Cross, Jesus revealed a love so powerful that that it embraced even those who brought about His death. With todays’ Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are being reminded that the love that burst forth from Calvary over two thousand years ago continues to flow into all our lives. The love of Calvary is present in our Eucharist because God so loved the world that He continues to give us His Son through Communion.
But Jesus’ hope and love are not only that which we receive. It is our constant calling to reveal the true meaning of the Cross and our understanding of it, in our lives. We are asked to show the beauty of the Cross in all kinds of ways. We are asked to show it in our understanding and tolerance of others, especially if their views differ from our own. To display it in our humour and friendliness, even against all the odds. To reveal it in our forgiveness, in our bearing of difficulties, in our fidelity to our commitments and responsibilities. We reveal it in our dignity, and in our service of others, even when it is not appreciated.
We pray on this feast, that the true meaning of the Cross will take flesh in all of our lives. It was alive beautifully in the life of a young husband and father killed brutality this week, as it is in your lives, and thankfully, in the lives of many. May nothing prevent us from witnessing to the true meaning of the Cross of Christ, and may the Cross, fill us with love and hope to make better our troubled world.
Fr. Richard
Fr. Richard
