23rd Sunday Ordinary Time September 14, 2025

Readings: Numbers 21.4-9 Philippians 2.6-11 John 3.13-17

Exaltation of the Cross The cross was a form of death penalty, a punishment for criminals, rebels and others. Yes, the cross becomes a failure, a piece of wood, for many Jews a symbol of shame and disgrace, and meaningless but with Christ on it, the cross becomes meaningful and salvation because he saves us from shame and disgrace of sins.

In our daily living, we always identify the Cross with our problems, trials, difficulties and others. Yes, we cannot deny that we have crosses in our lives, but God gives them to us because we can carry them.

Just like this story of a man who complained long and loud to the Lord that the cross he had to carry was too heavy. “Come with me,” said the Lord as he took the man to the shop where crosses were made. Here were piled crosses of every shape and size. With an amused smile, the Lord said: “Just you shop around and if you see one you like, take it along.” So, the man entered the door, set his cross against the wall and rubbed his hands in glee and chuckled to himself: “This is the chance of a lifetime, something I have been waiting for. If I’ve got to carry a cross anyway, I might as well get one that’s not too much of a burden, one that fits me personally.”

So, he tried this one and that and none suited him. One was too long and bumped along on the ground. Another was too short and tripped him. One was too light and swayed in the wind. Another was too heavy and cut into his shoulders. Almost ready to despair, he spied one leaning against the wall. He tried it on for size, walked around with it and then turned to the Lord with a smile and said: “This is it. This is the one I have been looking for. I’ll take it.”

So out the door they went and the Lord turn to the cross bearer and said with a smile: “I’m glad you like that one; it’s the one you brought in.”

But one thing is sure about the cross, Jesus embraced the cross for our sake and made it a victory; it is our salvation.

                 Fr. Terry.