Back in the time of Jesus, no one thought of crucifixion as an exaltation of any kind. Yet, the Cross on which Jesus was executed is exactly what the Church celebrates today. In the terrible time of being crucified, Jesus was victorious. It was the highest triumph of love over hatred. As Saint John says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” Jesus revealed God’s love in all that He said and did, but He revealed God’s love most fully as he hung on the Cross.
For the apostle St. Paul, the Cross of Christ reveals the power and wisdom of God. Shortly before Good Friday Jesus foresaw His crucifixion as the hour when He would be glorified. Authentic love is always life-giving and that is extraordinarily so of God’s love. The Cross is both the triumph of love over hatred and the triumph of life over death. Jesus’ execution on the Cross was cruel, but through His death He passed over into a new life — a life now offered to us all. The blood and water from the side of Jesus speaks to us of the life that flows through the death of Jesus.
The Cross is celebrated in Christian art as the Tree of Life. The triumph, the exaltation, of the cross, which is the triumph of God and of Jesus over Satan and all the forces of evil and death; it is a triumph in which we all share. From the Cross Jesus draws all of us into the love and life of God. As He said in John’s gospel, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”[1] We simply have to let ourselves be drawn by Him. +
[1] John 12:32
Homily for Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Epiphany of the Lord
Homily for the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle & Evangelist
Homily for the Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, & Companions, Martyrs
Homily for Monday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian
Homily for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
Homily for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Homily for the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom
Homily for Monday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. Peter Claver
Homily for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Homily for Wednesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary time
Homily for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)