Exaltation of the Cross

On September 13, 335, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (also called the Church of the Resurrection) was dedicated. The following day, the cross that Empress Helena had discovered on September 14, 320, was venerated in a solemn ceremony. In 614, the Persian King, Chosroes II, waged war on the Romans. After conquering Jerusalem, he confiscated many treasures, among which was the Cross of Jesus. The Byzantine emperor Heraclius initiated peace negotiations but was rejected. He then waged war and won near Nineveh, asking for the restitution of the Cross, which then returned to Jerusalem. Today, the cruelty of the Cross is not what is exalted, but the Love that God manifested to humanity by accepting death on the Cross: “Who, though in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. This is the glory of the Cross of Jesus!” (Pope Francis).

A non-Catholic asked me why my cross had Jesus on it. ”Jesus already rose from the dead!” My response: My crucifix represents the ultimate sign of Jesus’ love for humanity by giving up his life on the cross. Yes, Jesus is resurrected. He is alive. He has saved us from all our sins! This “picture” of Jesus reminds me of his ultimate love for me and for all humanity.

Then I asked: Do your parents still have a picture of you as a baby displayed on their mantle? She said, “Yes.” Well, are you still a baby? No, right? Why don’t they just remove your baby pictures from their home? It’s the same thing for me. I wear a crucifix. The centerpiece of our living room is a crucifix. We have a crucifix in all our bedrooms. The crucifix reminds me: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him (John 3:13-17).