This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. The Cross of Christ is NOT a symbol of defeat, but is the ultimate instrument of victory over sin, death, and hell. The feast is deeply rooted in history, marking the date that the relic of the True Cross of Jesus was found by St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, in 326 A.D.
The theological significance of the cross is central to our Catholic faith. Jesus Himself once declared, “When I am lifted up, I will draw all men to myself”. The cross is not merely a historical relic but a living symbol of God’s boundless love and mercy, a sign of hope that even in suffering, God brings forth life and redemption. Catholics venerate the cross daily, making the Sign of the Cross in prayer, displaying crucifixes in homes and churches, and honoring relics during liturgical celebrations.
Today’s Gospel reading from John 3 draws a parallel between the bronze serpent lifted by Moses in the desert, which healed the Israelites, and Christ being lifted up on the cross to save humanity. The first reading from Numbers recounts this ancient event, illustrating God’s mercy and the power of faith. The Responsorial Psalm calls upon the people to remember God’s merciful acts and to not forget His works. The Second Reading from Philippians 2 highlights Christ’s humility and obedience, even unto death on a cross, which led to His exaltation.
Today’s feast is a call to embrace the cross in our own lives, to offer up our sufferings in union with Christ’s Passion, and to trust in the power of His sacrifice to transform our struggles into the sources of grace and conversion. As St. Paul declared, “may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Fr. Pierre