The Exaltation of the Cross

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3: 14-15).

The Exaltation of the Cross celebrated on September 14. This feast signifies the veneration and triumph of the cross, a symbol of Christ's sacrifice, victory over sin and death, and ultimate redemption for humanity. In the 4^th century, St. Helena discovered the true cross and the dedication of a church on the site of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 AD. As we celebrate this feast let us reflect on the significance of the cross.

According to Theologian Jurgen Moltmann, “In Christianity the cross is the test of everything which deserves to be called Christian. One may add that the cross alone, and nothing else, is its test, since the cross refutes everything, and excludes the syncretistic elements in Christianity” (The Crucified God, p. 7). St. Paul has centered his letters on the wisdom of the cross. He stated, “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians1:23-25).

Although many things have been said about the 'cross', I want to share with you something remarkable in the life of St. Francis de Sales. He was a second-year priest. The great challenge was the movement of reformation that was influencing many Catholics to leave and embrace Protestantism. One of the popular preachers was Calvin, and his doctrine was known as Calvinism. During this turmoil, the Bishop of Geneva was looking for a priest to be sent to Chablais to bring people back to Catholicism. St. Francis de Sales agreed to undertake this mission with his cousin, Father Luis de Sales. He embarked on the journey on September 14th, the feast day of the Exaltation of the Cross. He reached Chablais and began his ministry, educating people about the true faith. In the first years, not a single soul listened to his preaching. He began to write flyers and drop them under doors, but still, no one adhered to him. He did not lose hope or return but persisted in his ministry for three years. After a long struggle through winter and summer, he saw one soul returning to the faith. Finally, it is said that 72,000 people returned to the Catholic faith from Chablais. Therefore, he is called the Apostle of Chablais.

When I reflected on his ministry, I realized the power of the cross. There were many times before Jesus that people were crucified on mountains. Only when Jesus began his journey to Calvary, embracing the cross that was a sign of shame and weakness, the cross was exalted. After that, when people bear a cross for Jesus, everything reveals that exaltation on the mount Calvary bearing the fruit of victory. I am sure that St. Francis de Sales was well aware that his journey on the Exaltation of the Cross would give him hope that the lost sheep would return. Thus, he began his journey of passion. On this feast day, we should learn to begin everything with the sign of the cross. Your faith in the cross will save you because it is not made of wood but holy blood. When you make the sign as an exaltation, God exalts you. Reflect on St. Francis de Sales' words:

“The everlasting God has in His wisdom foreseen from eternity the cross that He now presents to you as a gift from His inmost heart. This cross He now sends you He has considered with His all-knowing eyes, understood with His divine mind, tested with His wise justice, warmed with loving arms and weighed with His own hands to see that it be not one inch too large and not one ounce too heavy for you. He has blessed it with His holy Name, anointed it with His consolation, taken one last glance at you and your courage, and then sent it to you from heaven, a special greeting from God to you, alms of the all-merciful love of God.”