THE  EXALTATION 

OF  THE  HOLY CROSS

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.”

Today’s Feast goes way back to the 4^th Century - to the finding of the True Cross in 326 by Saint Helena and then the dedication of the church of the Holy Sepulcher in 335.

It’s always been a big feast in our Church.

For personal reflection, let me present 5 ideas.  

FIRST: THE CROSS IS THE CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SYMBOL

First of all to reflect upon the cross as the central symbol of Christianity - with or without an image of Christ on the cross.

Think about all the crosses on tops of churches, inside churches, and on the walls of our homes. Spot the cross on rosary beads and gold crosses around people’s necks.

Think about all the pictures and paintings of Christ on the cross - in museums and in prayer books etc. etc. etc.

SECOND: WE MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS A LOT

Secondly think about all the times we make the sign of the cross in prayer to begin and to end prayers and services - how it’s used in blessing oneself and others.

I did 6 baptisms this weekend and early on in the baptism the priest asks parents and godparents to make the sign of the cross on the baby’s forehead who is about to be baptized. Then I ask the whole baptismal party to do the same thing.

At some baptism some guy said his mom thumbed a little sign of the cross on his forehead every night before going to bed ever since his baptism till he left for college or the military.

THIRD: CARRYING OUR CROSSES

Thirdly, think about how we use the word “cross” to label sufferings. We use the word “cross” to describe carrying our cross as in carrying the burdens of life - especially making a sacrifice for another. I love the image of the cross with the gesture that I plan life to go this way today and it goes just the opposite way. Notice it’s a cross.

Crosses are made of more than wood. Think of aluminum canes and walkers. Think of stainless steel wheel chairs. Think of crosses made of cancer or depression or family hurts. Think of marriages that don’t work and kids - and spouses are hurt big time.

FOURTH: RELICS OF THE HOLY CROSS

Fourthly, I’m sure you heard that there are many so called relics of the Holy Cross - spread throughout the world.

Then when people hear about all the relics of the true cross that are out there - that there is enough wood to make a boat - like Noah’s Ark. Erasmus, and Calvin, and many others made humor of the so many relics of the True Cross.

I heard that enough to force me to go back to research on this question.

I once heard that some guy got a 12 inch by 12 inch by 12 inch square block of wood. He started splitting off small pieces the size of relics of the True Cross. Sure enough, one could have thousands and thousands of tiny relics from that one block of wood.  

I checked on Google if they had anything about that story of that experiment. Didn’t find it, but I did find out about a guy who tracked down all the relics of so called “pieces of the true cross” around the world. His name was that of a French architect - Charles Rohault de Fleury. His dates are, September 22, 1801 - to -  August 11, 1875. He did just that. He figured out how many relics of the True Cross were listed from around the world and then multiplied by 10 - to add more - and then figured out how big the cross would have been and he said the relics around the word are only 1/5 the possible size of the cross.

I see relics of the Holy Cross  being sold on eBay - anywhere from $9.95 to $3600.

FIFTH: SALVATION AND REDEMPTION

Fifth and last, how many times have we said the prayer, … We adore thee O Christ and we bless you because by your Holy Cross you have renewed the world.

That’s the message in various scripture passages - and in various stations of the cross.

CONCLUSION

Take time to do your homework on the cross. Hopefully, one of these 5 pieces would help all of us to be students of the cross. Amen.