THEME: WE ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST CRUCIFIED
READINGS: Numbers 21:4–9; Philippians 2:6–11; John 3:13–17
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
INTRODUCTION
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation (Triumph) of the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the first reading, God turned a symbol of death, namely, serpent, into a sign of life for the Israelites of old. Similarly, in the second and gospel readings, the cross, which was a cruel instrument of death, becomes a sign of God’s saving love.
1. A SYMBOL OF DEATH BECAME A SIGN OF LIFE
The devil, who is the source of sin and death, appeared in the form of a cunning serpent in Genesis 3:1-19. Then, in today’s first reading, when the Israelites had sinned against God, many of them died as they were bitten by serpents (cf. Num. 21:4–7). The serpent, therefore, is a symbol of death.
Fortunately, God turned the very symbol of death into a sign of life for the Israelites. Thus, He instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. All who were bitten by serpents and looked upon the bronze serpent in faith were healed (cf. Num. 21:8–9).
Strange, isn’t it? The very thing that caused their suffering—a serpent—was lifted up as the sign of healing and life. Only God the Creator and Redeemer has the power to drastically reverse things!
2. IN CHRIST, THE CROSS BECOMES THE SIGN OF SALVATION
The above story in the Book of Numbers points forward to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself refers to it in today’s gospel: “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14–15)
So, just as the Israelites were healed by looking upon the sign of their affliction, we are healed by looking upon Christ crucified, who takes our sin upon Himself and transforms it into life. Thus, the cross, a cruel instrument of death becomes the saving instrument and sign in Christ. St. Paul captures it so well:
“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. … we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:18,23-24).
In Christ, therefore, the cross is not a failure. It is the supreme expression of God’s love (cf. 1 John 4:9-10; John 15:13). Hence, after saying that He would be lifted up on the cross like the bronze serpent, Christ assures us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).
3. CHRIST TURNS OUR DEFEAT INTO VICTORY
Beloved, the cross is no longer a symbol of defeat, but the instrument and sign of victory in Christ —not just any victory, but God’s victory over sin and death, and His love poured out for the salvation of the world. What practical lessons can we take from this?
Firstly, like fans of a winning team who proudly wear their jerseys, caps and scarfs as well as display their flags, let us confidently, consciously and publicly make the sign of the cross with reverence. And let us always do so, since the victory of Christ crucified is not only once or occasional but everlasting!
Secondly, it means that our own crosses—the hardships we bear, the pain we endure—can be united to Christ’s cross. And if we allow Him, He will transform them. The cross is not the end of the story. Hopeless situations can be turned around! Pain will become joy — eternal joy!
Thirdly, Christ’s humiliating death became the doorway to His glorious resurrection and majestic ascension (cf. Phil. 2:6-11). Similarly, with faith in Christ crucified, our humiliation will be turned into glorification — heavenly glorification!
CONCLUSION
Beloved, in the cross of Christ,
- Defeat is turned into victory
- Death into life
- Damnation into salvation
- The end into the beginning of a new and better experience
- Despair into enduring hope
- Pain into everlasting joy
- Humiliation into eternal glorification
- Etc.
So today, on this great feast, let us renew our resolve to lift high the cross of Christ, especially, by confidently making the sign of the cross anytime and everywhere.
Amen.
By Most Rev. John Kobina Louis
