THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS)

14^th September 2025

Lectionary Readings: Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38;

Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

Theme: “Lifted Up” embodies the essence of exaltation. (John 3:13-17)

Happy Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross! As we prepare to explore the readings and messages from today’s Gospel, let’s take a moment to reflect on the meaningful invitation this feast presents to us as Christians.

In the Gospel of John, the Greek word for “lifted up” (Hypsóō – σηκωμένος – exalt) carries a powerful dual significance. It not only refers to Jesus’ physical death on the cross but also highlights His exaltation through His resurrection and return to the Father. This duality invites us to see the act of being “lifted up” on the cross as a profound symbol of God’s immense love and the gift of salvation offered to the world. Remember, God sent His Son not to condemn us, but so that we might find hope and salvation through Him. Let us embrace this message and allow it to inspire our lives and actions. We need to take a moment to reflect on the profound message found in Cf. Numbers 21:4b-9 CSB p201. This passage captures a powerful moment where the LORD promises to remove the sins of His people and grant them life through a sacrifice. It’s heartening to see how this story points us to Jesus. Just as God lifted up the serpent to provide healing and life to the Israelites, He ultimately lifts up Jesus for our salvation. We need to remember that salvation through Jesus isn’t something that happens automatically; it requires our faith and belief, as expressed in Cf. John 3:14-15 CSB p1493, which reassures us that “whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”

In Ibid. Numbers 21:4b-9, the Israelite’s faced a difficult journey around Edom, which led to frustration and complaints about the lack of food and water. It’s easy to understand their feelings of exhaustion and doubt, especially as they struggled with the hardships of the wilderness. Their anger led to God sending poisonous, fiery serpents, bringing pain and fear to many. As we reflect on their impatience and discontent during their journey, we can empathize with their struggles. They questioned why they were brought out of Egypt only to suffer in the wilderness, expressing their disappointment with the manna they had received. In response to their complaints, the Lord sent these serpents as a divine punishment, and many Israelites suffered as a result. It’s touching to see how they ultimately showed repentance. They approached Moses, admitting their wrongs in speaking against God and him, and earnestly asking for a way to alleviate their suffering. In His mercy, God provided a solution. He instructed Moses to create a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. His promise was profound: anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live. Moses followed this command, and when a snake bit someone, they simply needed to look at the bronze serpent to find healing. This story reminds us of the importance of humility, repentance, and the hope offered to us through divine grace. It encourages us to seek healing in moments of despair and to trust in the promise of life that comes from believing.

The reading from Cf. Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, and 38 CSB p784-785; teaches us important truths about God and His work on behalf of His people. The Psalm starts with a call to listen to God’s teachings and promises to share mysteries from the past. The Call to Listen and the Promise of Mysteries (vv. 1bc-2) “Hear, my people, what I teach; pay attention to the words I say. I will speak in parables and share mysteries from old times.”

We should also think about what Cf. Philippians 2:6-11 CSB p1666 says. This passage describes how Jesus humbled Himself for us. Instead of coming as God and King, He took on human form. Jesus faced humiliation and oppression, following the Father’s will to become the sacrifice for our sins. Ibid. Philippians 2:6-11 is a Pauline prose narrative, not a hymn from before Paul. This passage tells the “Christ-story” and helps us understand its meaning better when we read it as a prose narrative.

In Ibid. John 13-17, Jesus offers grace to the disciple who would betray Him, showing the depth of His love. He assures the other disciples that their sorrow over His death will transform into joy. He guarantees the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit among them. No one has ascended into heaven except the one who came down from heaven the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, the Son of Man must be lifted up as well. God loved the world enough to reveal the profound truth: we cannot be healed until we acknowledge the disease that afflicts us. Ibid. John 3:17 beautifully reminds us, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The works of a true leader shine forth in “the gentleness of wisdom” Cf. (James 3:13CSB p1725). James elaborates on the qualities of this heavenly wisdom, or “wisdom from above” (Cf. 3:17): “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, reasonable, obedient, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.”

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a significant feast day for many Christians, commemorating the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. This day also celebrates the discovery of the true cross, its restoration to Jerusalem, and the magnificent churches built at the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Calvary. Observed on September 14th, the Exaltation of the Cross holds deep personal meaning for me. After nearly three years of living in faith, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Holy Tomb of Jesus at the Holy Sepulchre, where I prayed and reflected on the moment when St. Helena found the Holy Cross. We are reminded of three pivotal events: the finding of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the dedication of the churches constructed by Emperor Constantine at the Holy Sepulchre and Mount Calvary, and the profound honor we bestow upon the Holy Cross, through which Christ redeemed the world. The public veneration of Christ’s Cross began in the fourth century. For believers, the cross is the very heart of our faith as followers of Jesus. It embodies His life, death, and resurrection the source of our salvation and forgiveness. Through His suffering on the cross and glorious rising, we receive the precious gift and promise of everlasting life. The Gospel passage from Ibid. John 3:13-17 gives us a beautiful connection to the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It reminds us that Jesus had to be “lifted up” on the cross, just like Moses lifted the bronze serpent in the wilderness to bring healing to the Israelites. This “lifting up” is a powerful act of salvation, showing us, how much God loves us. When we believe in the “lifted up” Son of Man, we are offered eternal life instead of condemnation. The cross symbolizes Jesus’ exaltation and is our source of salvation from the wounds of sin. As believers, we can look forward to the wonderful gift of Eternal Life Through Faith. A Present Reality is what’s amazing: the life Jesus offers isn’t just a promise for the future it starts right now! By believing in the “lifted up” Son of Man, we receive eternal life today. We need to focus on our own actions and trust Jesus wholeheartedly. This belief is more than just agreeing with ideas; it’s about genuinely trusting in who Jesus is and committing to follow Him. He invites us to experience and share loving, humble service. But remember, before we can serve others, we need to let Jesus serve us first. Just like He washed the feet of His disciples, we need to allow Him to wash ours.

So, happy feast day! Let’s encourage and support each other as we journey together as disciples of Jesus.

For Reflection and Discussion:

1) What is the spiritual significance of the Feast of the Holy Cross? 2). As adults who embrace our identity as disciples of Jesus, how can more deeply explore the transformative lessons of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and their profound connection to our personal journeys?

Bibliography: Donald Senior, ET Al; The Catholic Study Bible 3rd Edition 2010; The New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition 2011; The Catholic Prayer Bible 1993; Brown R.E; An Introduction to the New Testament 1997 p341; Liddell & Scott’s: Greek-English Lexicon 1889; McKenzie, J.L. Dictionary of the Bible (NewYork:1965); Catechism of the Catholic Church, English translation 1994;

This week’s Sunday Liturgy Commentary was prepared by
Dunhill Malunar Timkang, Jerusalem – Israel, Bat Kol Secretary

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