The Feast of the Holy Cross
by Benjamin Bisgrove
The Triumph of God
What is the Feast of the Holy Cross, and why celebrate it now in Ordinary Time? Thematically, the Cross should belong in Holy Week, and on Good Friday especially. However, on the feast of the Holy Cross, we dwell on the mysterious victory of God through the suffering of the cross that was then and is now uniquely transformative for all who will believe. The feast commemorates the rediscovery of the original Cross near Jerusalem by St. Helen. This led to the construction of the Churches at Calvary and the Holy Sepulcher, both places previously dominated by sin and death, transforming them to houses of worship to God through Jesus Christ by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Because of this rediscovery, the feast of the Holy Cross commemorates the symbol of God’s victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. The feast of the Holy Cross is an opportunity for us to consider the transformative power of the cross. The cross, once a symbol of shameful death for criminals and rebels against Rome, is transformed forever by Christ Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection. Now, the cross has become the universally recognized and distinctive symbol of our faith, testifying to the complete uniqueness of Christ. And if the Cross, being the vehicle that God chose to glorify His Name by, thereby given us hope. Because, if God can take a symbol of shame and death and put it to a holy purpose, He can take any sinful man and make him a saint, a symbol of His holy glory. Further, it is in humiliation that Christ is lifted high rather than in esteem, and yet, in this Christ has drawn all the world to Himself, even through unimpressive vessels. As St. Paul says, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18).” The cross confirms what Christ says, that the way to life is through dying, is foolishness to the intellectual and weakness to the explorer, but it is the only way to truly live by faith.
I encourage you to practice the Jesus Prayer this Holy Cross Day, as a way of habituating in your soul the pattern of the Cross. Breath in, “Jesus Christ, Son of God,” breathe out, “Have mercy on me a sinner.” In this practice, we are prompted to remember our sins and confess them to God so that we can always receive new life in Christ Jesus.
About the Artwork
The artwork accompanying this devotional is from a Slavic crucifix. On the front is a depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus. The Greek letters around the lateral beam of the cross read, “Jesus Christ conquers.” On the opposite side is the Archangel Michael standing in triumph over the dragon of Revelation as in Revelation 12:7-10. The depiction of these two scenes together suggests that they are related. Jesus says in today's passage, “Now is the ruler of this world cast out,” suggesting that Jesus’ crucifixion is that moment of God’s triumph over satan, and it is by the blood of the Lamb alone that salvation comes for us and for the whole creation.
Collects for the Holy Cross Day (BPC 2019, p. 631)
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the Cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
How would my life look without the cross?
How do I live in light of the cross?
Am I habituating the way of the cross in my life?