EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
September 14
The Cross: The Victory of God’s Saving Love
Introduction
The cross is among the most familiar signs of our Christian faith. We place it in our churches and homes, wear it around our necks, and trace it upon ourselves in prayer. Yet its familiarity can sometimes prevent us from recognizing the depth of its meaning.
On September 14, the Church celebrates the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. This feast invites us to contemplate the love through which Jesus transformed an instrument of execution into the sign of our salvation. To exalt the Cross is to honor the crucified and risen Lord and to allow His self-giving love to shape our lives.
The Historical Background of the Feast
The feast has its roots in Jerusalem and the places associated with Christ’s death and Resurrection. According to Christian tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the Cross of Jesus during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the fourth century.
The dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre took place on September 13, AD 335. The following day was associated with the solemn veneration of the Cross, helping establish September 14 as the feast’s date. Its history also became connected with the recovery of the relic of the Cross after the Persians had taken it from Jerusalem in AD 614.
These events form the historical setting of the celebration. Its central meaning, however, is Christ’s victory over sin and death through His Passion and Resurrection.
What Does “Exaltation” Mean?
“Exaltation” means lifting up or honoring. On this feast, the Church lifts up the Cross before the faithful as the sign of Christ’s saving victory.
The Gospel gives this expression a deeper meaning. Jesus speaks of the Son of Man being “lifted up” (Jn 3:14). In John’s Gospel, this points to His crucifixion and also to His glorification. The Cross and Resurrection belong to the one saving mystery through which Christ brings us life.
We therefore contemplate the Cross with both sorrow and hope. We recognize the suffering caused by sin, while giving thanks for the mercy through which God offers salvation.
The Scripture Readings of the Feast
The Roman Catholic readings for this feast are Numbers 21:4b–9, Psalm 78, Philippians 2:6–11, and John 3:13–17. Together, they reveal God’s healing mercy, the humility of Christ, and the Father’s love for the world. These passages offer a fruitful foundation for reflection across Catholic traditions.
The Bronze Serpent: Turning Toward God for Healing
In the first reading, the Israelites become impatient during their journey through the desert and complain against God and Moses. After poisonous serpents afflict them, they acknowledge their sin and ask Moses to intercede. God instructs Moses to raise a bronze serpent, and those who look upon it recover (Nm 21:4b–9).
This account invites us to examine how we respond when life becomes difficult. Weariness can narrow our vision until we notice only what is missing. We may forget blessings already received and allow disappointment to weaken our trust.
The passage encourages a movement from complaint to repentance and from fear to reliance on God. We can bring our suffering honestly before Him while remaining open to His guidance.
The Son of Man Lifted Up
The Gospel connects the desert experience with Jesus’ saving mission. As Moses lifted up the serpent, the Son of Man must be lifted up so that those who believe in Him may have eternal life (Jn 3:14–15).
Looking toward Christ means more than observing a crucifix. It means turning to Him with faith, receiving His mercy, and following His teaching. The crucified Lord invites us to bring Him the wounds of sin, guilt, grief, and broken relationships.
The Gospel also makes clear that the Father sends His Son for the salvation of the world (Jn 3:16–17). The Cross reveals the depth of God’s desire to draw humanity into communion with Himself.
Christ’s Humility and Obedience
St. Paul presents Jesus as the one who freely humbled Himself, taking the condition of a servant and remaining obedient even to death on a cross. God then exalted Him, and every tongue is called to confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Phil 2:6–11).
This passage challenges our understanding of greatness. We often associate importance with recognition, influence, or control. Jesus reveals the greatness of humble service.
The feast invites us to examine our relationships. Can we listen without insisting on having the final word? Can we acknowledge a mistake and ask forgiveness? Can we serve faithfully when our contribution receives little attention? The humility of Christ becomes visible through such choices.
Why We Honor the Cross
Catholics honor the Cross because of its relationship to Jesus Christ and His saving sacrifice. A crucifix directs our hearts toward the Lord who gave Himself for us. Our reverence passes through the visible sign to the person it represents.
The Catechism teaches that Christ freely accepted His Passion out of love and that His death is the unique sacrifice reconciling humanity with God. The saving value of His sacrifice comes from His love “to the end” (CCC 609, 613–616).
When we kneel before a crucifix, we acknowledge that we need this mercy. When we make the Sign of the Cross, we renew our identity as people who belong to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Carrying Our Cross in Daily Life
Jesus calls His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him (Lk 9:23). This invitation concerns the faithful love through which we live our vocation, including its difficulties.
Our daily cross may involve caring for a sick relative, persevering through illness, fulfilling demanding responsibilities, or remaining honest when dishonesty would bring an advantage. Following Christ means meeting these situations with prayer, courage, and love.
Carrying the cross also requires discernment. Christian discipleship calls us to protect life, seek appropriate treatment, resist injustice, and help those experiencing abuse. Faithful endurance should be accompanied by wise action and compassionate support.
The Cross and Forgiveness
The Cross invites us to confront the resentment we carry. We may remember an injury so vividly that it begins to govern our thoughts and relationships.
Forgiveness can be a slow and difficult journey. It involves entrusting judgment to God and seeking freedom from the desire for revenge. It can coexist with appropriate boundaries and efforts to obtain justice.
Before the crucified Lord, we can pray honestly: “Jesus, You know what I have suffered. Help me to respond without allowing bitterness to rule my life.” Such prayer opens our wounds to His healing grace.
An Illustration from Family Life
Consider a family caring for an elderly parent. The care requires interrupted sleep, medical appointments, expenses, and repeated adjustments to personal plans. There may be fatigue and disagreement about how responsibilities should be shared.
The Cross offers a way to approach these demands with love. Family members can cooperate, ask for help, make time for rest, and recognize the dignity of the person receiving care. Their sacrifices become fruitful when they are sustained by compassion rather than resentment.
The same spirit belongs in parish life. A community honors the Cross when it shares burdens and makes room for those who need patient attention.
The Cross and the Holy Qurbana
The Holy Qurbana brings us into the saving mystery of Christ’s death and Resurrection. The Eucharist is the memorial of His sacrifice, through which the Church participates sacramentally in His once-for-all offering (CCC 1362–1367).
At the altar, we bring our joys, responsibilities, suffering, and hopes. United with Christ, we learn to offer ourselves in love to the Father.
Our participation should continue in daily life. The mercy we receive calls us to become merciful. Communion with Christ calls us to serve our neighbors. The sacrifice we celebrate invites us to generosity.
Messages for Our Christian Life
This feast calls us to contemplate the crucifix prayerfully. A few quiet moments before the Cross can help us recognize God’s love and examine our response to it.
It also calls us to repentance. We honor Christ’s sacrifice by turning away from the sins that damage our relationship with God and others, especially through sincere confession and reconciliation.
Finally, it calls us to accompany people who suffer. Prayer before the Cross should deepen our concern for the sick, the grieving, the lonely, and those burdened by injustice. Pope Francis describes the Holy Cross as a sign of God’s boundless love and a source of hope for humanity. vatican.va
Conclusion
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross invites us to recognize the victory of God’s saving love. The crucified and risen Jesus offers forgiveness, strengthens us in suffering, and leads us toward eternal life.
May the Cross we honor in our churches and homes become visible in our humility, mercy, courage, and service. As we lift up the Holy Cross, may we also lift our hearts toward Christ and follow Him faithfully.
