2025 09 14 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time & The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: The Paradox of the Crucifixion in Scripture
 |
| Credits: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/feast-of-the-exaltation-of-the-holy-cross.html |
In light of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, our readings for today connect Numbers 21:4b-9, Philippians 2:6-11, and John 3:13-17 through the central theme of the exaltation of the cross, which transforms a symbol of humiliation into a sign of victory and salvation.
Humiliation and Exaltation
In the first reading, the Israelites' rebellion leads to a deadly plague of venomous snakes. God's remedy is to have Moses mount a bronze serpent on a pole, which becomes a sign of healing. The low point of suffering and death is linked to a remedy that brings life.
In the second reading, St. Paul teaches that Jesus, who is God, "empties himself" (a concept known as kenosis). He takes on the form of a servant and becomes obedient to the point of a shameful death on a cross. Because of this self-humiliation, God "greatly exalted him" and gave him a name above all names.
Jesus, the Son of Man, must be "lifted up" on the cross. This lifting up is a paradox, as it is both a physical act of crucifixion and a divine act of glorification. It is through this ultimate act of love and humility that he is exalted.
"Debasing oneself when one is forced to do so is not humility; humility is present when one debases oneself without being obliged to do so" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on Phil., ad loc.").In other words, St. Chrysostom whom we celebrated his feast yesterday, Sept. 13, teaches us that humility is not something you do because you are forced to; it is something you choose to do even you don't have to.
Salvation Through Belief
The Israelites are saved from physical death not by their own power, but by looking at the bronze serpent with faith. Their salvation is a direct result of their trust in God's prescribed remedy.
The hymn in the letter to the Philippians by St. Paul concludes with the confession that "Jesus Christ is Lord" and that at his name, every knee will bow. This universal confession is the ultimate outcome of Christ's obedience and exaltation, leading to the glory of God the Father. Salvation is found in the acknowledgment and surrender to Christ's lordship.
Our gospel today contains the famous verse, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." The act of believing in the lifted-up Son of Man is the path to eternal life, paralleling the Israelites' belief in the bronze serpent for physical life.
God's Love and Mercy
Despite the Israelites' constant complaining and lack of trust, God provides a way for them to be saved. The bronze serpent is a manifestation of God's mercy, offering a cure in the midst of punishment.
The entire act of Christ's self-emptying and death is an expression of divine love and obedience. He does not cling to his divine status but chooses to humble himself for the sake of humanity's salvation, revealing the boundless love of the Father.
God's motivation for sending his Son was out of love for the world, not to condemn it. The cross is the ultimate sign of this love, demonstrating God's desire to save humanity from sin and eternal death.
"The words of Christ are at once words of judgment and grace, of life and death. For it is only by putting to death that which is old that we can come to newness of life. Now, although this refers primarily to people, it is also true of various worldly goods which bear the mark both of man's sin and the blessing of God.[...] No one is freed from sin by himself or by his own efforts, no one is raised above himself or completely delivered from his own weakness, solitude or slavery; all have need of Christ, who is the model, master, liberator, savior, and giver of life. Even in the secular history of mankind the Gospel has acted as a leaven in the interests of liberty and progress, and it always offers itself as a leaven with regard to brotherhood, unity and peace" (Vatican II, "Ad Gentes", 8).In other words, Christ brings both judgment and grace, leading to life by first putting to death what is old and sinful. While this transformation is primarily for people, it also applies to earthly possessions, which are marked by both human sin and God's blessing. No one can free themselves from sin or weakness on their own; all must rely on Christ, who serves as the ultimate model, master, and liberator. Throughout human history, the Gospel has been a powerful force for liberty and progress, consistently offering itself as a way to foster brotherhood, unity, and peace.
The Christian Way
As Christians, we are instructed to look to the cross with faith for salvation, in a manner similar to how the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent for healing.
- Veneration of the Cross: Christians honor the cross, not as a symbol of death and defeat, but as the instrument of salvation. This is a central practice, especially during Holy Week and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is an act of recognizing the cross as the ultimate sign of God's love and Christ's obedience.
- Embracing Humility and Service: Following Jesus's example of kenosis (self-emptying) as described in Philippians, Christians are called to live a life of humility, service, and obedience to God. This means prioritizing the needs of others and God's will over personal gain or status, echoing Christ's choice to take the form of a servant.
- Proclamation of Christ's Lordship: The ultimate result of Christ's exaltation is the universal recognition that "Jesus Christ is Lord." Christian practice includes the confession of faith and the evangelization of this truth, inviting others to believe in the lifted-up Son of Man and receive eternal life.
These practices are rooted in the theological understanding that just as the bronze serpent was a sign of physical healing for the Israelites, the cross is the sign of spiritual healing and eternal life for all who believe.
Comments
Post a Comment