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
