September 14, 2024 Saturday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Daily Readings: Numbers 21:4B-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17
The Exaltation of the Cross holds profound significance in the Christian tradition, commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena and symbolizing suffering, redemption, and faith.
The first reading describes the Israelites’ despair during their wilderness journey, where their complaints against God and Moses reveal their impatience and lack of faith. In response, God sends serpents among them, a consequence of their rebellion. However, God provides a remedy: a bronze serpent lifted on a pole. This act becomes a powerful metaphor for faith, transforming despair into hope.
Paul writes about Christ’s incarnation, His embrace of suffering, and His submission to death on the cross. This passage highlights the theme of kenosis, showing greatness through humility. Christ’s exaltation following His sacrificial death echoes the lifting of the serpent.
In the gospel, Jesus asserts His unique authority, emphasizing His role as the source of eternal life. John 3:16 encapsulates the essence of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.”
The cross, once an instrument of humiliation, became central to human salvation through Jesus’ crucifixion. This transformation from disgrace to exaltation reminds us that struggles and pains can lead to greater purposes and deeper understanding.
In personal suffering, we are challenged to seek growth and meaning rather than despair. This feast urges us to look beyond our present circumstances and into the hope offered through Christ.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: Reflect on your life: Where are the spaces of despair needing the healing gaze of faith? How can you embody Christ’s humility and serve others? Embracing the tension between suffering and hope, we are called to trust in God’s love and grace, knowing that what seems like despair can lead to redemption.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
