The Triumph of Love: Reflecting on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - by Bro. Glenn dela Cruz

 Every year on September 14, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a solemn reminder of the profound mystery of our salvation. On this day, we are invited not only to honor the instrument of Christ’s victory but also to reflect on its deep meaning in our daily lives.

The cross is often seen as a symbol of suffering and defeat, yet in Christianity, it becomes the sign of ultimate triumph and love. The Gospel of John tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The cross is not just an emblem of Christ's sacrifice; it is the means by which salvation was made available to all of humanity.

The Cross: The Throne of God’s Love

In the eyes of the world, the cross was an object of shame and humiliation. Jesus, the Messiah, was crucified—a form of execution reserved for criminals. But what the world saw as defeat was, in fact, God's great act of redemption. Saint Paul declares, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The Feast of the Exaltation reminds us that through Christ’s death on the cross, He overcame sin and death. The cross became His throne, a symbol of His eternal kingship. It was here, at the peak of His suffering, that Christ's love was most fully revealed. It is the victory of love over hatred, of life over death. As Catholics, we are called to "take up our cross daily and follow Him" (Luke 9:23), finding strength in the promise that His grace will always sustain us, no matter the trials we face.

Embracing the Cross in Our Lives

The cross is not only an object for veneration; it is also an invitation to discipleship. Jesus asks us to embrace our personal crosses—the trials, the difficulties, the sufferings—because it is through these crosses that we are drawn closer to Him. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, "By His obedience unto death, Jesus accomplished the substitution of the suffering Servant, who 'makes himself an offering for sin,' when 'He bore the sin of many,' and who 'shall make many to be accounted righteous,' for 'He shall bear their iniquities'" (CCC 615).

In moments of weakness and struggle, the cross becomes our hope. When we feel burdened by life's difficulties, we can look to the cross and find strength. The love that Christ poured out from His cross empowers us to endure, trusting that our own sufferings can become avenues of grace and transformation.

The Cross: A Symbol of Unity and Healing

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross also calls us to see the cross as a symbol of unity. In Christ’s sacrifice, He broke down the walls of division and brought all people into the embrace of His love. "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32). The cross invites us to live in solidarity with one another, particularly with those who suffer.

Furthermore, it is through the cross that we experience healing. Just as the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the desert healed the Israelites (Numbers 21:8-9), so too does the cross heal us from the wounds of sin and separation from God. It is a beacon of hope for the brokenhearted, the sick, and the lost, reminding us that there is always redemption through Christ’s love.

Conclusion: Glory in the Cross

The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross invites us to see beyond the suffering and the pain. The cross is not just a reminder of death, but of resurrection. It is a symbol of victory, hope, and love. As we contemplate the cross, we are called to embrace its message more deeply in our lives, allowing it to shape how we live, love, and serve.

Let us, like Saint Paul, declare with joy and faith, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). May we exalt the cross not only in our words but also in our hearts, bearing witness to the power of God's love, which was poured out for us on that sacred wood.