September 14, 2023

Feast of the Exaltation of Christ on the Cross

THE CROSS CHOICE

 

The title of my homily is, “The Cross Choice.”

Yesterday 6 of us went out to The Udder Choice for breakfast. It’s a restaurant here in Ephrata. Most of the guys had been there before. It was the first time for me. Delicious. I had a wonderful cheese omelet. 

In a glass case on the wall just as you come into the restaurant, there are ice cream metal "scoopers" – about 50 of them – all different. The place must have featured ice cream down through the years.

I looked at them all – thinking how many times and how many places I have been given delicious scoops of ice cream – which I love – especially butter almond, rum raisin and chocolate.

Today is the feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

For a thought for this holy day, picture all the crosses you have seen in your lifetime – all hanging on a gigantic wall - like the ice cream "scoopers" wall. Picture them in churches, on religious habits, on walls, on death cards, around necks.

For a thought for this holy day, pick your favorite.

For a thought for this holy day, picture yourself making the sign of the cross 1 million, 750, 926 times – all the times in your life – so far.

For a thought for this holy day, hear Jesus saying his seven last words on the cross.

For a thought for this holy day, hear today’s gospel from John saying “the Son of Man will be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For a thought for this holy day, picture Moses in today’s first reading, mounting a snake on a pole saying, “This is what is killing you. Look at it and live.”

For a thought for this holy day, hear Paul in today's second reading repeating the words of a very early Christian hymn, “Every knee should bend – and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord – to the glory of God the Father.” Amen