Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea but the encounter with an event.” The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross celebrates the profound significance of the Cross as a symbol of our faith and redemption. This feast invites us to encounter and embrace the transformative power of the Cross, recognizing it as a source of strength and inspiration in our spiritual journey. Let us look at the readings to help us understand how different communities encountered God and its meaning in their lives.

In the first reading, the people of Israel encountered God as their Redeemer. They grumbled about their immediate needs, forgetting the grander narrative of their liberation from Egyptian bondage. Similarly, in our lives, we often get bogged down by daily struggles and lose sight of the bigger picture. Yet, in these moments of challenge, we are called to remember God’s redeeming grace. Just as God redeemed Israel, He extends His help to us in our times of need. The Cross of Christ is not merely a symbol of suffering but a radiant beacon of hope and life. It embodies Christ’s extraordinary love and sacrifice, a love that transcends history and touches our present reality. The Cross is a powerful reminder that no matter how deep our trials or how heavy our burdens are, redemption is always within our grasp. It is a testament to Christ’s victory over despair, continually offering His boundless grace to every heart willing to receive it, transforming our lives.

In Philippians 2:7, Saint Paul writes, “He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” This emptying, or “kenosis,” is central to the mystery of the Cross, and that is the meaning St. Paul wishes to convey to the Philippians that Christ did not cling to His divine privilege but chose to become one like us, experiencing our limitations and suffering in full measure. His emptying then was an act of profound humility and love. Through this act of self-emptying, we genuinely become vessels of God’s love and grace. When we relinquish our agendas and embrace a spirit of humility and service, we become co-workers with Christ in His mission of love and salvation.

Finally, we celebrate the Cross as the source of eternal life. In John 3:14-15, Jesus says, “Just as Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” Though an instrument of suffering, the Cross is also the channel through which eternal life is made available to us. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the keys to a new life, a life that transcends earthly existence and enters into the fullness of God’s promise. The promise of eternal life is a future hope and a present reality. Through the Cross, Christ extends a personal invitation to each of us, inviting us into an eternal and unbreakable relationship with Him. This invitation calls us to live in the light of His promise, embracing a life that reflects His love and grace. The Cross reminds us that we are destined for more than this world can offer. It challenges us to live each day with the assurance that our lives have been transformed and redeemed by Christ’s sacrifice and to respond to His invitation with our hearts.