Every year on September 14, the Church invites us to celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross—a feast that may sound paradoxical at first. How can we exalt a symbol of suffering, pain, and death? Yet for us Christians, the Cross is not a sign of shame, but the greatest sign of God’s love.

In the Gospel of today, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus, saying:

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:14–16)

These verses reveal the heart of the Christian faith. The Cross is not simply a tragic event; it is the culmination of divine love. When Jesus was lifted up on the Cross, He lifted up with Him all our sins, our sorrows, and our brokenness. He did not run away from suffering—He embraced it to redeem us.

The image of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent (cf. Numbers 21:4–9) prefigures Christ’s saving act. In the desert, those who looked at the serpent were healed; in the same way, those who look upon Christ with faith are saved. The Cross thus becomes the new tree of life, offering healing and hope to all who gaze upon it with love.

In a world that often glorifies power and success, the Cross stands as a countercultural sign. It teaches us that true glory is found not in domination, but in self-giving love; not in pride, but in humility; not in revenge, but in forgiveness. As St. Paul wrote, “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called… Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24)

The Cross is also a daily invitation. Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) This means that every act of patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice—no matter how small—becomes a participation in His redemptive love.

Today, as we venerate the Cross, let us not only see in it the instrument of our salvation but also a path for our own transformation. When we unite our sufferings with Christ’s, the Cross ceases to be a burden; it becomes a bridge to resurrection and new life.

Let us pray for the grace to see the Cross as Jesus did—not as the end, but as the beginning of glory.

“We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You,
because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.”