From the Pulpit Homily for the Exaltation of the Cross (Feast), (14th September, 2014) on the Gospel Num 21:4-9; Ps 77:1-2.34-38 (R.v. 7) Phil 2:6-11; Jn 3:13-17. Some people each with his/her own cross were on their way to heaven. But the journey was not an easy one. The presence of the cross also made it more difficult. Since they could not see why they should carry the cross embarking on such a long and difficult journey, some dropped their own cross and moved on. At a point, when it became imperative that none could move on without the cross, only those who were still with their cross continued, while those who had dropped their cross abandoned that road saying that the road to heaven could not be in such a state. None of the groups knew what others were experiencing. But at the end each group reached the end of the road they followed. However, those who continued in that difficult road with the help of their cross ended up in heaven while the rest ended in Hell. They could see and talked to each other. When those who followed the less troubled road saw where they ended, they pleaded for assistance and only one could be offered. That was to cross the chasm between heaven and hell (cf. Lk 16:26). However, that could be done only with the help of the cross. Remember they dropped the cross where they could not go back to pick them. “Thank God, thank God, it was just a dream” screamed one man as he jumped up from his bed. He was among those who took the road to Hell. Topic: The cross of Christ. Today the universal Church is celebrating the Feast of The Exaltation (Triumph) of the Cross. The cross which hitherto was an instrument of humiliation, torture, death, scandal, and so on has become the instrument of our salvation because our redeemer died on it to set us free, cf. Tit 2:14. We read: “4But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 5God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (Gal 4:4-5). And being adopted children of God, we ought to live as children of God that we are. Paul being fully aware that it was through cross that we become the children of God wrote: “But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). Whatever we enjoy today as the children of God was achieved through the cross of Christ. Saint Paul’s letters read: “having cancelled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Col 2:14). We also read in the same letter: “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20). In his letter to the Ephesians we also read: “and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end” (Eph 2:16). The cross was a symbol of curse as we read from Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, ‘Curse is everyone who is hung on the tree” (Gal 3:13; cf. Deut 21:23). Jesus was not unaware of what it meant to die on the cross but for what lies beyond it, the Letter to the Hebrews reads: “looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb 12:2). Having done everything for us through the cross, God also wants us to come to the fullness of joy through the cross. Jesus himself said: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24). Again: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:27). The words of Saint Paul seem to be more relevant today: “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil 3:18). Many Christians today has become Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to carry the cross of Christ, cf. Matt 27:32. Jesus freely took the cross, cf. Jn 10:15-17 and left for us an example to follow, cf. Jn 13:15. Finally, my dear brother/sister in the Lord, do not see cross as something extra ordinary. Those things you have to bear are part of your own cross. And it is not how big a cross is that matters but how willingly and patiently one bears his/her own. Hear this although it could be bitter but it is the truth: Nobody can run away from the cross despite those promises that are being made here and there. Again, many are today bearing Christless crosses because of how they see and bear it. But you can still add Christ to your cross by among other things change how you see it and how you bear it. This is because it is Christ who redefined the cross as a result, any cross without Christ is fruitless cross. A Christian’s prayer before any cross should be: “… My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done” (Matt 26:42). Bible Readings: Gal 5:2-26; 1Jn 3:1-10; Heb 12:1-28. Silent Prayer: Are you a Christian or not considering the fact that one can only be one by following him with his/her cross? Let us pray: Lord, give me the grace to freely and patiently bear my cross after the example of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. And may I never touch the cross of the evil one no matter how light it might seem to be – Amen! Yes, three years! My dearest in the Lord, in a special way I invite you to the celebration of the third anniversary of this online ministry, FROM THE PULPIT which comes up on Thursday, 18th September, 2014. This ministry needs your support especially your prayers. May the grace of God continue to sustain this ministry and also continue to manifest in your life – Amen! God bless you as you partner with us in this ministry of sharing the Word. Rev. Fr. Moses Onyekachukwu Iloka Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra–Nigeria.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 08:15:01 +0000
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