The-Exaltation-of-the-Holy-Cross - Year-C

The-Exaltation-of-the-Holy-Cross - Year-C (pdf)

Spiritual Reflection

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world But that the world might be saved through him. Jn 3:17

A Hidden Gift in Every Experience

In all your experiences, even those which you do not understand, God conceals some special gift for you. You will understand this as you pray before the Cross and immerse yourself deeply in the mystery of the actions of God.

When you are crushed by suffering, and suffer some injury, you become closer to the Crucified Christ.

Your cross enables you to be more united with the Crucified Christ, and it helps you to understand in a deeper way the mystery of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection. Therefore, do not be surprised to encounter one suffering after another or to be rejected more often by people.

The thought of suffering is horrifying, but, in fact, this was the way of Christ.

In the light of faith, you will understand that the greatest distinction that you can receive from Him, is when Christ shares His suffering with you – that it is the suffering of someone condemned unjustly, ridiculed, and tortured to death on the Cross.

Jesus accepted this suffering as a sacrifice for your sins. If you want to be more like Him, it is necessary that you take advantage of this sacrifice in the fullest possible way. By praying before the Cross, you will begin to discover the true immensity of the love of someone who accepted a disgraceful death on the Cross to save you.

The crucified Christ calls you to imitate Him, that in His attitude of total obedience to the Father, you may find a model of life and model to base your life upon.

Difficult experiences, trials of faith, or the problems of daily life will always be hard to bear. It is possible that your cross may have new situations that can afflict you, lack of strength, lack of rest, a pile-up of new obligations, a responsibility that crushes you.

All of these can become very difficult experiences, but in the light of faith, Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden light. Your cross permits you to unite yourself with the Crucified Christ. Therefore, try to look at all your difficulties and experiences with peace and trust.

You are not alone on the way of the Cross. Mary also went along the same way. She partook, in a spiritual form, that which Jesus experienced – from the garden of Gethsemane up to the Cross. She, who most faithfully followed Her Son through the way of the Cross, is now with you.

Without doubt she would like to say to you: Courage! Do not be afraid. The way through which you tread leads you to salvation and sanctity.

S. C. Biela, In the Arms of Mary, pp. 34-35

References from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

544 The kingdom belongs to the poor and lowly, which means those who have accepted it with humble hearts. Jesus is sent to "preach good news to the poor";253 he declares them blessed, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."254 To them - the "little ones" the Father is pleased to reveal what remains hidden from the wise and the learned.255 Jesus shares the life of the poor, from the cradle to the cross; he experiences hunger, thirst and privation.256 Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.257

618 The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". 452 But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. 453 He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", 454 for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." 455 In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. 456 This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering. 457

Questions for Reflection 1

1. During this past summer, how have I recognized God’s action in any disappointments, health issues, lack of vacation time or other sufferings of daily life?
2. Do I perceive my difficult experiences in a negative way or through the eyes of faith? What does it mean for me?
3. Mary surrendered to God in all her painful circumstances. How can she carry me in my sufferings and experiences that I don’t understand?

Prayer after Sharing

Thank you, God, for allowing me to see the truth about my weaknesses and how it calls upon the abyss of your merciful Love.