Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Numbers 21:4b-9
Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17
The scriptures on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, remind us of the price paid for the forgiveness of our sins and should be an occasion for us to reflect on our own spirit of obedience. Are we self-driven, or do we turn often and prayerfully to the Holy Spirit for guidance in how we live our God-given lives?
The First Reading says that the patience of the Israelites was worn out by their journey in the desert and that they began to complain against God and Moses. (So what else is new?)
We too (the “new Israelites”), can get worn out and our patience depleted by our own life journey; but we need to remember that unlike the Israelites, we already enjoy the fulfillment of the promised land manifested in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Christ, the New Adam, died for our salvation on the cross. How often do we reflect on the fact that Christ was demonstrating that we always need to be obedient? Christ was obedient to the Father even to the point of death. By availing ourselves of Him and the grace of His Cross, we receive the strength to bear our own trials.
Like the Israelites, we might get worn down at times and lose patience; but we have good reason to believe that we’ll receive all that is necessary to complete our life's sojourn. The victory of Christ’s Cross is our victory!
Let us not forget the works of the Lord (see Psalm 78:7) and that “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.” (see John 3:15-16)
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