Fresh Dew Media

 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: Homily by Fr. Isaac Chima

Christ’s Cross: Our Symbol of Hope

Readings: Num 21, 4-9; Phil 2, 6-11; Jn 3, 13-17

Dear friends in Christ, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross invites us to celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the Church built on the site where Jesus was crucified and buried, which houses the relics of the Cross of Christ. It is also a day we celebrate the triumph of the Holy Cross, the central position of the Cross in our Christian life, the saving power of the Cross for all who believe, and the transformative power of Christ that turned a symbol of shame into a symbol of hope.

When you look at the Cross of Christ, what do you see and feel, and what message does the Cross of Christ convey to you? Through the readings of today’s Mass, the Church unveils some of the messages that the Cross of Christ gives us.

In the first reading, we saw the communal disobedience and rebellion of Israelites, which resulted in an immediate and severe punishment. One of the dangers of sin is that it distances us from God (Is 59:2), causing us to fall short of His glory (Rom 3:23), grace, and protection. This separation makes it easier for the devil to step in and wreak havoc.

While the Israelites were defencelessly wandering in the desert, they enjoyed God’ grace and protection from human enemies and other threats to their lives in the desert. In today’s passage, as soon as their sins created a rift between them and God, they were immediately attacked by the forces that had previously been restrained by God’s grace and protection. Sin always exposes us to dangers.

However, when they cried to God in the midst of their sorrows and Moses interceded on their behalf, God forgave them and healed them with the symbol of the same creature that afflicted them, which was appended on a tree. Even in the midst of our sins and the sorrows they inflict upon us, if we turn our gaze towards God, He will send us His help.

The symbol of the ancient bronze serpent that healed the Israelites prefigured Christ, as affirmed by Christ in His conversation with Nicodemus in today’s gospel. He said, “As Moses lifted the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” With this affirmation, Jesus tells us that just as the Israelites were healed of their afflictions by looking upon the bronze serpent hung on a tree, those who look up to Him, hanging on the Cross, will be saved from their affliction. Therefore, all those who have distanced themselves from God due to their sins, as well as those who have fallen under the destructive power of the evil one, should not lose hope; the Cross of Christ invites them to look upon it and be saved. The Cross is our symbol of hope, assuring us that the attacks of the enemy will not overcome those who believe in God. It is our symbol of victory over the forces of evil. (Col 2:15).

The second reading provides another message that the Cross of Christ conveys to us. This reading tells us that Christ humbled himself, accepted his cross, and carried it till the end. Therefore, God, who permitted such a cross to befall him, exalted him and rewarded him with the name that is above every name. The cross of Christ reminds us that each of us carries a cross, one that God has permitted us to carry, not for our destruction but for the salvation of our soul. “Carry your cross and follow me,” Jesus said (Mt 16:24).

Your cross could be your spouse, your sick child, your brother struggling with addiction, your stubborn son or daughter, your unemployment, or your lack of resources. Following the example of Jesus, if you carry your cross with humility, trusting God’s love in all situations of life, victory will ultimately be yours. (Phil 2:6-11).

The cross of Christ also speaks to us of the transformative power of our Saviour. Once regarded as a symbol of shame and disgrace, the cross has been transformed into a symbol of hope and victory. Prior to Jesus’ death on the cross, the cross represented shame, a course reserved only for criminals and outlaws (Gal 3:13). Nevertheless, the nature of Jesus is that He transforms whatever He touches. His encounter with this emblem of shame – the cross – transformed it into a symbol of faith and salvation, a symbol that is revered and venerated. Such is the power of Christ.

Dear friends, the Church invites us to allow ourselves to be touched by Jesus. He transforms everything He touches. If he touches you, your life will never remain the same. Today, we have the Cross of Christ in our midst, our symbol of hope and triumph hanging in every church; make sure you also give it a place of honour in your homes. Let us embrace it; let us venerate it, so that we may experience its transformative power, for wherever it is lifted up, all those who gaze upon it will be saved from physical afflictions and eternal damnation.

Peace be with you.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima