Loving us to the end as he dies on the cross, Jesus gives the greatest proof that God loves us.  Hence to exalt the Holy Cross is to exalt love. 

Those who turn their weakness into strength might well give the greatest proof of their being creative. And it seems that that those who grumble end up giving such greatest proof.

They cannot meet their need for food and water, and the food they get tastes awful.  So, they speak against God and Moses.  And to murmur so would likely lead them to snap at each other and to tear each other into pieces.  They would, then, be just a step away, too, from destroying themselves.

Yes, their need, their finding no help, gets to be like a serpent with a deadly bite.  But as they, in the end, accept their lack and their helplessness, they get to be strong and to live.

We do have to admit that we are poor, wretched, sinners.  But this admission should make us trust God who is good and does not let us down (SV.EN II:324).  God is also full of mercy and forgives our faults (SV.EN:166; XI:130).  So, to be poor, to be a sin, a curse with Christ Crucified is to exalt God’s wealth, grace, blessing.

To admit so means, besides, to let go of all selfishness and self-sufficiency.  And free, empty of ourselves, we can, then, be free, as Vincent, not just for God, but also for others.  For those who are poor especially (H. O’Donnell, “Vincent de Paul:  His Life and Way” in Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac:  Rules, Conferences, and Writings, ed. F. Ryan, D.C. and J.E. Rybolt, C.M. [Mahwah, N.J.:  Paulist Press 1995, p. 17]).  We can be one with them, we can love them and serve them.  So, to exalt the cross is to exalt freedom, communion, love.

Lord Jesus, we live since you nourish us with your body and blood.  Grant that your life in us lead us to give all we have and are to nourish others.  We shall thus, like you, give the greatest proof of love.  And like you, too, we shall show that God is absolute love.  That God is not an angry judge who seeks to destroy the world and all life. 

14 September 2025
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Num 21, 4b-9; Phil 2, 6-11; Jn 3, 13-17