Scripture Reflection - September 14, The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
by Father Brian
Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 (or Philippians 2:6-11), Psalm 78; John 3:13-17
Exalting the Cross in joyful celebration would seem to be an unthinkable possibility for many people in the time of Jesus and even now. In his letter to the Corinthians St. Paul said: “We preach Christ crucified . . . a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles”. (1 Cor 1,23). Maybe even more than foolishness: to speak of anything good coming from a crucifixion would be an absurdity, if we thought about it in human terms only. It was a cruel instrument of torture: so how can you turn it into something exalted?
In the Gospel, Jesus says: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son on Man be lifted up.” Despite the poisonous venom that the serpent carries that causes pain and suffering, the Lord says to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” Gazing on this image was the source of healing. In his lifting up on the Cross, Jesus took upon himself the “poison” that afflicts the human race, sinful humanity. Its poison was sin that leads to a spiritual sickness far greater than any physical disease. Sin is a poison that leads to death. In drinking that cup on the Cross, in experiencing death on the Cross, Jesus defeated death, was raised up, exalted. He was victorious.
Consider this: many famous figures throughout history have proposed ways of life, systems of thought and standards of behavior that were believed to bring healing to the world and all its ills. But no other historical figure ever claimed to wipe out the fate that awaits us all: death. All this was accomplished by the death of an “historical figure”, the Son of God. This is the healing that restores life– a cause of great rejoicing! I have often said: “No pain, no gain”, No Cross, no Glory”, “No Easter without Good Friday”