Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

"No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life." For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Jesus sacrificed himself for us not only to save us, but also to give us an example of what it means to truly love one another. Love is a sacrificial action. We must be willing to give up a part of what makes us who we are in order to love someone properly. In this way, you and I become "we" and together we are made whole by the love between us. If we live in such a way, then we shall discover our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies can be filled with love and that our acts of charity can help lead others to eternal life. This means renouncing our selfishness and pride, but in return we receive the gifts of selflessness and humility, which are infinitely more patient, mild, and rewarding. In this life we can be egotists or lovers and if we wish to follow in Christ's footsteps, then we had better learn how to love God and others more than our own selfish interests.

How often do we thank Jesus for being lifted up on the cross for our sins? What can we do to express our belief in his saving grace? How can we incarnate Christ's love for others in our own lives?

O Lord, we believe in you and hope that one day you will grant us eternal life.

Amen.