Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
https://apostolosmakrakis.com/2019/09/08/sermon-on-the-gospel-of-john-for-the-sunday-before-the-exaltation-of-the-cross-john-3-13-17/
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 3:13-17
September 14, 2022 | Wednesday
No one has ever gone up to heaven except the one who came from heaven, the Son of Man.
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life. God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world; instead, through him the world is to be saved.
Today’s Reflection:
Today we reflect on God’s love for the world. He gave his only Son for our salvation and today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. “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.” In Hebrew Jesus means “God saves” (CCC 430). John’s Gospel invites us to come close to Jesus in whom we find salvation.
What did Jesus give of himself so completely for our salvation? Why did the Son give his life to the Father? Jesus’ offered his life once for all for our sake and as an expression of his obedient love for the Father by which we are sanctified (cf. Heb. 10:5-10). The sacrifice on the cross inspired followers of Christ throughout the ages to offer their lives for the love of God and neighbor. “Let us remember that love lives through sacrifice and is nourished by giving. Without sacrifice there is no love,” said St. Maximilian Kolbe. Furthermore, “true and pure love is demonstrated amidst a thousand sufferings,” wrote St. Veronica Juliana (cf. Diario, 26.12. 1694).
In glorifying the Father by following his will may we also embrace our cross, sacrifices, and sufferings out of love as part of our discipleship and our Christian vocation. We pray for this grace. /Vulnerasti, 2022
