HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
THEME: For love, He died for all!
BY: Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER14 2022
Numbers 21:4b-9; Ps. 78:1-2.34-35.36-37.38 (R. cf.7b); Phil.2:6-11; John 3:13-17
To celebrate such a crude instrument of torture as the cross is almost insanity. But love transforms the crudest of human instruments. Without the Cross, and Jesus Christ, whose death changed its meaning from shame to glory, Christianity will be nonsensical. In 326, AD, St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the remains of the True Cross of Christ while on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Nine years later, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was erected on the site, and dedicated in Jerusalem (335) on this day, September 14.
Friends, when the people of Israel lost patience with God, and were punished by the bite of fiery serpents because of their unreasonable complaints, only by looking up at the symbol of their agony were they saved. In like manner, Jesus was raised on the very object of shame, torture and pain, that he might conquer sin and death, for our salvation. He didn’t mind that he was God. God loved us so much, that sending His Son to die was an option he willingly accepted. We too must not run away from the cross. Whenever we look at the cross today, we do not see shame and disgrace. We do not see sin and death. We see love; divine love unlimited. We see hope! And we see victory. To God be the glory. Amen.
Good morning dear. Happy feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. God bless your day ahead.