Lifted Up to Life: Exaltation of the Holy Cross
This Sunday we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a feast that reminds us of the power of God’s love at work in our lives. The readings all point us to this truth: God never abandons His people. In the desert, the Israelites discovered healing when they returned back to God. Saint Paul reminds us that Jesus humbled Himself, choosing love over power. The Gospel proclaims that God so loved the world that he gave His only Son so that all who believe in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.
The story of the Israelites shows how easy it is to lose heart when times are tough. They had seen God rescue them from slavery, feed them in the desert, and guide them along on their journey. Yet, when challenges came, they forgot His goodness, grew impatient and blamed God and Moses. But here lies the hope. Those who admitted their weakness and returned back to God found healing and life. Their story reassures us that even when we falter, God’s mercy is always greater.
We too face difficulties, uncertainty about the future, struggles in daily life, and pressures to measure success by Wealth, Status, or Achievement. Yet the Cross reminds us that these should not be used to exploit others just as Jesus though God did not exploit us but emptied Himself to take the form of a human slave.
Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross. Therefore God highly exalted Him by resurrecting Him from the cross of salvation so that every knee shall bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
This Sunday, let us lift our eyes with hope as true life comes through Jesus to all of us, beloved children of God created with love and called to bring light to others. Let us trust that God is guiding us, even in life’s uncertainties. And let us remember: we are known, we are loved. In Christ, we are never alone.
Ajith Nissangaratchie
