Every year on 14 September, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, a day on which we honour the Cross on which Jesus Christ gave His life for the salvation of humanity. What was once an instrument of suffering, humiliation and death was transformed through Christ into the greatest symbol of love, sacrifice, hope and victory.
The Cross stands at the very heart of our Christian faith. Jesus willingly accepted suffering and death because of His unconditional love for humanity. Through His death and glorious Resurrection, He transformed the Cross from a sign of defeat into a sign of hope and eternal life. As Jesus tells us, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). Whenever we look upon the Cross, therefore, we are reminded not only of Christ’s suffering but also of the immense love that led Him to give Himself completely for us.
The feast also has an important historical origin. According to Christian tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, travelled to Jerusalem in the fourth century and discovered the True Cross. Emperor Constantine later ordered the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre at the site associated with Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. The Cross was solemnly presented, or “exalted,” before the faithful for veneration. These events became closely associated with the feast that the Church continues to celebrate today.
Yet, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is much more than the remembrance of an event from the past. It carries a powerful message for our everyday lives. Each one of us has a cross to carry. It may take the form of illness, financial difficulties, family problems, loneliness, disappointment, loss or the many sacrifices we make for those we love. At such moments, it is easy to ask why God allows suffering into our lives.
Christ does not promise us a life without difficulties. Instead, He invites us to follow Him even through them: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Carrying our cross does not mean simply accepting suffering without hope. It means trusting that God remains with us even in our darkest moments.
The Cross teaches us that suffering and death do not have the final word. After Good Friday came Easter Sunday. In the same way, our trials, when faced with faith and courage, can deepen our relationship with God and make us more compassionate towards the struggles of others.
As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, may we look upon the Cross with faith, gratitude and hope. May it remind us that we are never alone in our struggles and inspire us to carry our own crosses with courage, knowing that through the Cross came salvation and through Christ came the promise of eternal life.
Agnelo A S Fernandes
Ward: SCC -12
Disclaimer:This article has been researched and compiled using information from various religious media sources and websites