Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Marlone Ramirez SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
September 14 – Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
A missionary who spent most of his life in Africa once told us about a Muslim convert to Christianity. Many of his friends asked him: “What made you decide to become a Christian?” He replied:
“Imagine that I am walking alone in the wilderness and come to a crossroads with two possible directions. I do not know which way to go. Nearby stand two men: one is dead and the other is alive. Which one would I ask for directions?”
His answer was simple yet profound. Christians follow Jesus because He is alive. He is the One who conquered death and rose from the tomb. As He Himself declared: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live” (John 11:25).
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross, commemorating the victory Christ accomplished through His passion, death, and resurrection. The Cross is not merely a reminder of suffering; it is the supreme sign of God’s saving love. Through it we come to understand the depth of Christ’s love for humanity: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
The wounds inflicted upon Jesus became the source of our healing. As the prophet Isaiah foretold: “By his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). What appeared to be an instrument of shame and defeat became, through God’s grace, a sign of triumph and redemption.
According to an ancient Christian tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, journeyed to Jerusalem in the fourth century in search of the Cross of Christ. Tradition relates that after discovering three crosses near Golgotha, the true Cross was identified when it was brought into contact with a dead man, who was miraculously restored to life. While this account belongs to Christian tradition rather than Sacred Scripture, it beautifully expresses the Church’s conviction that the Cross of Christ is life-giving.
The feast we celebrate today reminds us of the immeasurable value of Christ’s sacrifice. The Cross is:
- The visible sign of His suffering and death.
- The instrument through which sin and death were conquered (cf. Colossians 2:14-15).
- The bridge between heaven and earth, reconciling humanity with God (cf. Ephesians 2:13-16).
- The measure of God’s infinite love for us (cf. Romans 5:8).
Jesus Himself taught:
“And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32).
The Cross therefore remains at the center of Christian life. It teaches us that love requires sacrifice, that suffering united with Christ becomes redemptive, and that beyond every Good Friday lies the promise of Easter.
As disciples of Christ, we are invited not only to venerate the Cross but also to carry our own crosses with faith and perseverance. Jesus calls us:
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
May we find in the Crucified and Risen Lord the strength to bear our burdens patiently, to triumph over life’s trials, and to remain faithful amid difficulties. For the Cross is not the end of the journey; it is the path that leads to life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, through Your sacrifice on the Cross You brought life and salvation to the world. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in freedom, hope, and joy. Transform us by Your grace, so that we may respond generously to Your call as children of God and heirs with Christ of the promise of eternal life. May the power of Your Cross strengthen us in every trial and lead us to share forever in the glory of Your Resurrection. Amen.
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