Embrace the Cross with Christ
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
“Do not forget the works of the Lord!”Ps. 78
The cross, when seen apart from Christ, appears only as suffering and is rejected. But when we recognize that in the cross Jesus is asking for our “yes” and our surrender, then it becomes possible to embrace it with faith and love. To reject the cross is to reject Christ Himself; to embrace it is to embrace Him. Jesus shows us that the cross is not a curse or misfortune to flee from, but an unavoidable part of life, born from the reality of sin, and it is precisely the path that leads us to the Father.
In the Gospels, Jesus calls His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him (Mt 16:24; Lk 14:27). By His own example, He assumed the human condition and through obedience opened the way for us to recover the paradise lost through disobedience. He teaches us that each day we must accept our personal crosses and even death itself, for these become the means by which we can please God and enter His Kingdom, provided we live them with trust, love, and surrender to Him.
This acceptance is not meaningless suffering. Just as we willingly endure surgery, strict training, or disciplined diets in hope of better health or a more attractive body, so too—and with far greater reason—we should accept sacrifices for the sake of eternal life. Earthly gains mean nothing if we lose our soul (Mt 16:26). That is why Jesus tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God (Mt 6:33) and to give God first place in our lives, above all things and people, so that He may truly act in us and bless us.
Eternal life is infinitely more valuable than anything this passing world can offer. For this reason, Jesus calls us to radical decisions: if something leads us to sin, we must be ready to renounce it, even if it costs us greatly (Mt 5:28ff.). It is better to enter heaven with loss than to enter hell with apparent fullness.
Thus, the Christian is invited to embrace Christ’s cross, the cross of love for God and neighbor. This cross is always lighter and more life-giving than the heavy cross that sin, the world, and the flesh impose on us. Sin brings far more suffering and destruction, as we can clearly see in our world today. Without sin, we would already be living in paradise.
Therefore, to accept the cross is to accept Christ Himself. Whoever seeks a Christ without a cross will only find a cross without Christ —the crushing weight of sin. But with Christ, the cross becomes light and leads us to true joy and eternal salvation, just as He promised (Mt 11:28).
Readings of the Week
Sunday: Nm 21:4-9/Ps 78:1-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38/Phil 2:6-11/Jn 3:13-17
Monday: 1 Tim 2:1-8/Ps 28:2, 7, 8-9/Jn 19:25-27 or Lk 2:33-35
Tuesday: 1 Tim 3:1-13/Ps 100:1-2, 2-3, 5-6/Lk 7:11-17
Wednesday: 1 Tim 3:14-16/Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6/Lk 7:31-35
Thursday: 1 Tim 4:12-16/Ps 111:7-8, 9, 10/Lk 7:36-50
Friday: 1 Tim 6:2-12/Ps 49:6-7, 8-10, 17-18, 19-20/Lk 8:1-3
Saturday: 1 Tim 6:13-16/Ps 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5/Lk 8:4-15
Next Sunday: Am 8:4-7/Ps 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8 (see v.1, 7)/1 Tim 2:1-8/Lk 16:1-13 or 16:10-13
Observances for the Week
Sunday: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Monday: Our Lady of Sorrows
Tuesday: Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
Saturday: Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs
Next Sunday: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
