(Culled from my reflection on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
Today as we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross we want to renew our allegiance and belongingness to the One, who made the Cross worth exalting, for in the words of St. John: “They will look to the one whom they have pierced” (Jn. 19:37; cf. Zech.12:10). To us as we meditate and ponder on and on, on the event of Jesus on the Cross, is as if He whispers to the ears of our heart: “I did not love you, just for joke”. Hence our meditation on the Exaltation of the Cross of Christ has to inspire us to contriction and pains for our sins, but also to hope. A word of Hope, for us and for our brothers and sisters, for those that are humiliated, offended, oppressed and those their dignity has been dragged to the mud. This existential experiences bring us closer to the Jesus on the Cross. The Cross of Christ indeed, is a Word of Hope! Let us not hide this hope from anyone.
The Cross is not merely a heavy load, it is not merely a symbol of suffering and death. Above all these, it is a plus sign, it is a salvific ladder, and indeed, a warfare arsenal for all who look up to Him, for anyone who looks up to the sign, shall be saved (cf. Num.21:8, Jn. 3:14-15).
Today, let us pray and ask Jesus to draw us to Himself, for his word says: “when I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself” (Jn. 12:32). In our world and particularly in our country Nigeria today torn apart by the presages of violence and war, may the two horizontal extensions of the Cross and the arms of Jesus outstretched in them continue to be for us a shield for protection and divine coverage from power-drunk leaders and their inhuman agenda. Amen!!!
(Rev. Fr. Vitus M. C. Unegbu, SC)
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