The Holy Cross

Today Catholics the world over celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Church's designation of the cross as "holy" is surely not what the Romans had in mind as they used it as a form of capital punishment. Death on a cross was reserved for slaves, rebels and criminals. It was a terrible, shameful, painful and slow mode of execution. Crucifixions were very public events intended to discourage others who may have been tempted to criminal and rebellious activities. There was nothing "holy" about it.

However, for believers the cross is both a source of salvation and life and an expression of the depth of God's love for us. Death could not contain the Lord of life and his victory has opened the gates of heaven for all who believe in him. What a gift has been given us through Christ's victory over death. And, what incredible love is expressed in the Jesus' willingness to lay down his life for us. The cross has come to be something truly "holy" for us who believe in Christ and appreciate what he has done for us. It is no wonder that we begin and end our prayers with "the sign of the cross" and that Catholic Churches and most Catholic homes have crucifixes as an expression of our appreciation for all that the cross represents for us.

Today let us celebrate the great Christian symbol, the cross. It is truly something "holy" for us who believe.

Fr. John Klein, Pastor