Homily – Exaltation of The Cross

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Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: 24th Sunday.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross, once a symbol of shame and death, has become for us the greatest sign of love, hope, and victory. Through the Cross, Christ has redeemed the world. Through the Cross, we are lifted up from sin and given the promise of eternal life. But this feast is not only about looking at the Cross of Jesus in history. It is also about recognizing the crosses we carry in our daily lives—crosses of sickness, financial struggles, broken relationships, loneliness, disappointments, and family worries. These are real burdens. Yet when united with the Cross of Christ, they are transformed. They are no longer signs of defeat but paths to holiness and instruments of grace.

Numbers 21:4-9. In the desert, the people of Israel sinned and complained against God. They were bitten by serpents, but when Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, those who looked upon it were healed. This foreshadows Christ on the Cross. Just as the Israelites looked up and found healing, we too lift our eyes to Jesus and find salvation.
Philippians 2:6-11. Saint Paul reminds us that Jesus humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death—even death on a cross. And because of this, God exalted Him. This shows us that the way of the Cross is the way of true greatness. When we embrace humility, obedience, and sacrifice, we are walking the same path Christ walked, and we share in His victory.
John 3:13-17. Jesus tells Nicodemus, “ And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” And then He speaks the words that summarize the entire Gospel: “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.” The Cross is not the sign of God’s anger—it is the sign of His limitless love. It is love that suffers, love that saves, and love that never gives up.

My brothers and sisters, we all know the weight of the cross in our personal lives. Some of us carry the cross of illness. Others carry the cross of unemployment or financial stress. Many carry the cross of broken families, strained marriages, or children who have drifted from the faith. Some quietly carry the cross of loneliness or depression. These crosses are heavy, and we often wish them away. But today’s feast reminds us that when we unite our crosses with Christ’s Cross, they become life-giving. They teach us patience, they deepen our compassion for others, they purify our hearts, and they remind us that our true strength comes from God. The very crosses we carry, if embraced with faith, can become the instruments of our holiness and the means by which God’s glory shines through our lives.

Brothers and sisters, to exalt the Cross is to exalt the love of God. Whenever we make the sign of the Cross, we are proclaiming that love. Whenever we forgive, endure trials with trust, or choose hope over despair, we are lifting high the Cross in our daily lives. Let us not be ashamed of the Cross. Let us embrace it with courage. For it is our hope, our strength, and our victory. As we gaze upon the Cross today, let us remember that God so loved the world—that He so loved you and me—that He gave His only Son. May the Cross of Christ be our comfort in suffering, our strength in weakness, and our doorway to eternal life.

Amen.

20 questions for KIDS (Yes or No) with answers from John 3:13–17

1. Did Jesus say He came down from heaven? Yes
2. Is there anyone else who has gone up to heaven except Jesus? No
3. Did Moses lift up a bronze serpent in the desert? Yes
4. Was the serpent lifted up to help the people live? Yes
5. Did Jesus say He must be lifted up like the serpent? Yes
6. Did Jesus come so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life?
   Yes
7. Does God love the world very much? Yes
8. Did God give His only Son to the world? Yes
9. Did God send His Son to condemn the world? No
10. Did God send His Son to save the world? Yes
11. Can we have eternal life if we believe in Jesus? Yes
12. Did God send an angel instead of His Son to save us? No
13. Is Jesus the Son of God? Yes
14. Did God keep His love only for a few people? No
15. Is God’s love for the whole world? Yes
16. Was Jesus lifted up on the Cross? Yes
17. Did Jesus come to give us punishment? No
18. Did Jesus come to give us salvation? Yes
19. Is faith in Jesus important for eternal life? Yes
20. Is God’s gift of His Son the greatest sign of His love? Yes