The Exaltation of the Cross

09-14-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Abraham Orapankal, Pastor

Dear OLP Family,

Today is the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, but we are celebrating the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Why? When a Feast of the Lord falls on a Sunday, it replaces the Sunday in Ordinary Time. Examples: The Presentation of the Lord, The Transfiguration of the Lord or The Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

Why is this feast so important even though it is not the feast of any saint nor a celebration of a particularly important liturgical event? We are honoring the Cross upon which Christ was crucified. Primarily, we are honoring Christ’s saving action through His death on the Cross, but we are also honoring the actual instrument of the Crucifixion that has become the fundamental sign of our faith.

According to legend, Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the true Cross while on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in the year 326. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was built by Constantine on the site of discovery, and this September 14 marks the date of that church’s dedication.

Christians “exalt” (raise on high) the Cross of Christ as the instrument of our salvation. The cross is a symbolic summary of the Passion, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ — all in one image. Placing a crucifix (the cross with an image of Christ’s body upon it) in churches and homes, in classrooms of Catholic schools and in other Catholic institutions, or wearing this image on our persons, is a constant reminder and witness of Christ’s ultimate triumph, His victory over sin and death through His suffering and dying on the Cross.

We remember Our Lord’s words, “He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it” (Mt 10:38,39). Who among us has not carried crosses in our lives?

A young man who wanted to be a lawyer, but his father died, and he had to leave school and work to keep things going at home.

A young woman who wanted to be a great doctor but was never admitted to medical school.

A businessman who had hoped all his life to make his business a great success, but the competition was much tougher than he had ever expected, and he soon found himself declaring bankruptcy.

A couple whose marriage is on the rocks. When it started out it was so sweet and good but now... now it's just not the same.

Examples are galore of people sacrificing a hope or a dream due to circumstances beyond their control. Yet we are people of hope, bearing our crosses because we know that Jesus is with us helping us carry our crosses. Let us not be discouraged, but carry the crosses because cross leads us to glory.

Your brother in Christ.