Back in the 1990’s there was a TV show called, “Hercules: the Legendary Journeys!” It featured the dashing Hercules, who went from town to town protecting innocent villagers from monsters, thieves, or the whims of the gods. There was also a movie called “Hercules” that came out this past July. Now, don’t feel bad if you don’t remember the TV show or you didn’t see the movie, because my homily won’t hinge on any plot lines. You don’t need to remember Hercules and his bulging muscles and flowing hair or any of the cheesy monsters. You just need to remember this one thing: the Greek gods were portrayed as detached beings who cared very little about the men and women below.
The vision of gods in the Greek world was one where they floated above the world on Mt. Olympus. This vision of god is probably not too far removed from what many of us may still carry today – that god is in some far away heaven and occasionally gives us a taste of the good life. But then into this vision of this remote, distant, and separated god, enters our God – the God of Jesus Christ and the image of the Holy Cross.
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. To the ancient Greco-Roman world, the Catholic claim of the cross was complete foolishness. If you are familiar with Greek mythology, you remember that Zeus might take on human appearance to chase after women, causing more harm than good. Catholics believe that God, who is all-powerful, all knowing, and ever living, assumed a human body and soul, not to find pleasure but to enter into our pain. This is the mystery and the glory of the Holy Cross.
What is the meaning of the cross? The sign of the cross is often reduced to a good-luck charm hanging around our necks, or crossing over our body when we begin a test or come up to bat at a baseball game. The Cross of Jesus Christ does not promise us success, health, or pleasure. The Cross only promises that Jesus will be with us, no matter how badly we suffer, no matter how badly we fail, and no matter how horribly we feel. Jesus said, “Behold I am with you always until the end of the age.” It is through His Cross that Jesus is with us. That is the meaning of the Cross and that is the meaning of our Christian faith.
The lesson of the Holy Cross is still very hard for us. We wish that the Holy Cross meant that we didn’t have to suffer, but it happens. The lesson of the Holy Cross is that God chose to suffer with us. God entered into the pit of the human experience through Jesus’ crucifixion and death – and we are not alone.
Yet how often do we struggle to believe that God is with us when things are going well? How much more do we need to remember that God is with us, even in our sufferings?
Three weeks ago, I went to the emergency room with what ended up being a kidney stone. And as I was lying in the hospital bed rolling around in pain, I noticed a crucifix on the wall. And I suddenly felt a calmness come over me. Yes, I was still in immense pain, but I now realized that everything was going to be fine and that Jesus was right there with me in my pain.
The true Cross of Christ is more than just a piece of wood; it is a sign of hope; it’s a symbol of unconditional love and healing. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to carry and exalt that Cross by bringing love and healing into our world – a world that is desperate for healing. We must get rid of our own ego and self-centeredness; and let go of any anger, negativity or prejudice that we carry.
To truly exalt the Cross of Christ we must live as Jesus taught us to live – with unconditional love and forgiveness and inclusion for everyone; not just for the people we like, but for all people including the very least and most disliked of our fellow human beings. That kind of exaltation of the Holy Cross is what will bring healing into our world.
My sisters and brothers, let us strive to exalt the Cross of Christ by recognizing the presence of God in our lives and by living as Jesus calls us to live – by loving one another in His name.
