September 14, 2025
September 14, 2025
Homilies
Homilies
Deacon Greg’s blog has garnered some 20 million readers from around the world since its inception in 2007.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Love Remains
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A Grandmother's Story
Deacon Kandra opens with the story of a woman who, having lost all her memories to Alzheimer's, still recognized and clung to a crucifix in her final moments. This illustrates that the Cross is a symbol of a love so profound it is recognized by the soul, even when the mind fails.
Key Quotes:
- “In a world where my grandmother knew nothing else, she recognized the crucifix! She reached for the cross and held it close to her until she died later that evening.”
- “I am convinced that, on some deep level, in that part of us that we call the soul, we recognize the power of Christ’s cross because we retain a memory of human love…Love remains.”
Discussion Questions:
- The story suggests a recognition that goes deeper than memory. Have you ever experienced a moment where faith or love seemed to transcend logic or circumstance?
- Deacon Kandra concludes from this story that "Love remains." How does the Cross symbolize a love that outlasts everything, including our own faculties, our suffering, and even life itself?
- How does this story change or deepen your perception of sacramentals like crucifixes, rosaries, or holy water?
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A People Marked by the Cross
The homily emphasizes that the Cross is woven into the very fabric of our Catholic identity, from the moment of Baptism to the architecture of our churches. It is a constant, physical, and spiritual reminder of who we are.
Key Quotes:
- "It begins at the beginning. Before we can even speak...the priest or deacon marks our foreheads with the sign of the cross—signifying that we are claimed for Christ."
- "This morning the very place where we worship, this church, is built in the shape of a cross. Again and again we have come to this particular cross...to pray, to plead, to hope, to rejoice."
Discussion Questions:
- Deacon Kandra lists many ways the cross is part of our lives (Baptism, the Sign of the Cross, church buildings, jewelry, Good Friday veneration). Which of these rituals or symbols is most meaningful to you, and why?
- We make the Sign of the Cross countless times. Do you ever feel you do it out of habit? What is one practical way you can make this gesture more intentional and prayerful in your daily routine?
- Reflect on your own parish church. How does knowing it is shaped like a cross change the way you think about gathering there for Mass and the sacraments?
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The Cross in a Broken World
This section shifts from the personal and liturgical to the global, using the striking image of priests in Ukraine. Here, the Cross is presented not as a passive symbol, but as an active weapon of peace and a shield against fear, conflict, and death.
Key Quotes:
- "It is not, to us, a source of death. No. It is a source of strength and a cause for hope."
- "They had only one weapon: the cross, held high. That was their shield, their armor, and their cause. And it is ours, too."
Discussion Questions:
- The homily calls the cross a "shield" and "armor." Think of a time you felt anxious, uncertain, or afraid. How can turning to the Cross provide strength and protection in those moments?
- The image of the priests in Ukraine is one of profound courage and non-violent resistance. How does their witness challenge our worldly ideas of power, influence, and what it takes to confront injustice?
- In what area of your own life—or in the wider world—do you need to "hold high" the Cross as a sign of hope over despair?
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The Heart of the Gospel
The homily culminates by connecting the Cross directly to the most famous passage in Scripture: John 3:16. The Cross is the physical manifestation of this verse—the ultimate proof of God's sacrificial love to grant us eternal life.
Key Quotes:
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.”
- “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”
Discussion Questions:
- Deacon Kandra calls John 3:16 "the Gospel in a nutshell." How does understanding this verse as the reason for the Cross change how you view Christ's suffering?
- The homily reminds us that "it happened because of the cross." How does this truth help you to see God's love not as an abstract idea, but as a concrete, historical, and personal reality?
- The prayer from the Stations of the Cross is presented as our "anthem." How can you incorporate this short, powerful prayer into your life this week as a way to stay focused on the redemptive power of the Cross?
Closing Reflection
As "people of the cross," we are invited to see this symbol everywhere—not as a morbid reminder of death, but as a vibrant sign of a love that never fails. This week, make a conscious effort to notice the crosses in your life: the one on your wall, the one around your neck, the steeple you drive by, or the sign you make before a meal. Each time you see one, pause and thank God for the love that remains and the life that it gives.
ARCHIVED HOMILY— It may seem strange to some people that we celebrate it, that we “exalt” Christ’s cross—an instrument of death.
But this is the great mystery of the cross: Christ transformed that instrument of death into a source of life. That is what we celebrate. We are a part of it. And it is a part of us.
We are people of the cross...
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Deacon Peter McCulloch
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
GOOD CATHOLIC (5:52) – Margaret Clitherow, the “Pearl of York,” was a devoted Catholic who prioritized her faith above all else. Despite her love for her family, she remained committed to her religious beliefs, even in the face of persecution.
Shining Armour
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Part I: Understanding Jesus's Wake-Up Call
Deacon Peter's homily begins by tackling one of Jesus's most challenging statements.
- What was your initial reaction to reading that Jesus tells us to "hate" our family? Had you heard this passage before?
- The homily explains this is about language—Aramaic not having a word for "prefer"—and culture—using non-literal exaggeration to make a deeper point. How does this context change your understanding of Jesus's words?
- The core message is to "put God first." What are some modern, everyday pressures that make it difficult to truly put God first?
Part II: The Witness of St. Margaret Clitherow
Deacon Peter next explores the life of someone who lived this radical call.
- St. Margaret Clitherow’s faith influenced "every aspect of her life." She broke the law to hide priests, run a Catholic school, and refused to attend mandatory services. What does her story teach about the practical, and sometimes dangerous, implications of putting God first?
- Despite the risks, Margaret's husband supported her actions. Her children also grew up to serve the Church. How can one person's radical faith, even when it leads to suffering, become a source of strength and inspiration for their family?
- Margaret was "deeply moved by those who willingly suffered and died for their faith." How does the witness of martyrs and saints encourage us in our own, smaller daily struggles?
Part III: The Knight in Shining Armour
Deacon Peter uses a literary example to introduce the metaphor of spiritual battle.
- In the story from Cry, the Beloved Country, Robert Mansfield resigns his job to "fight everything that separates people from one another." What does his "shining armour" represent?
- Emmanuel Nene warns Mansfield, "You are going to get wounded... Not only by the government, but also by my own people as well." Why is it that when we stand up for something true and good, we can face opposition from all sides, even from those we expect to be allies?
- Nene’s final quote is haunting: "When I get up there... the Big Judge will say to me, 'Where are your wounds?' and if I say, 'I haven’t any', he’ll say 'Was there nothing to fight for?'" What does this question imply about the purpose of a Christian life?
Part IV: Our Wounds, Our Fight
The homily concludes by turning these powerful questions to us.
- What might "wounds" look like for a Christian today? (Consider social, professional, relational, or emotional wounds).
- What are the things in our world, our community, or our own lives that are "worth fighting for"?
- Take a moment to silently reflect on the homily's final questions. If you were to answer them today, what would you say?
- "When you get to heaven and God asks to see your wounds, what will you show him?"
- "And what will you say you fought for?"
‘Love your enemies,’ Jesus says, ‘and bless those who persecute you.’ So why today is he telling us to hate our family?
It’s because Jesus’ language, Aramaic, didn’t have a word for prefer. The Jesuit author Brendan Byrne says that in Aramaic, if you preferred one thing over another, you’d say you ‘loved’ one thing, but ‘hated’ the other. But this doesn’t mean ‘hate’ as we mean it today. It means putting God first and loving other things less.
Exaltation of the Cross
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- St. Helena had to demolish a pagan temple to find the Cross. What "temples" (e.g., worldly priorities, false beliefs, attachments) might we need to clear away in our own lives to find the true meaning of the Cross?
- What does it mean to "search for the Cross" in your life today? Where might you find it hidden?
- How does venerating the Cross differ from treating it like a "souvenir or a relic"?
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- What are some of the "little crosses" you face regularly in your daily life (e.g., frustrations at work, annoying habits of others, small discomforts)?
- St. Thérèse said, "To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul." Do you believe that small, ordinary actions done with great love can have a real spiritual impact? Why or why not?
- How does the "Little Way" make the profound mystery of the Cross more accessible and less intimidating?
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- In a world that often values strength and hides weakness, why was St. John Paul II's public suffering so powerful?
- The homily states that he taught suffering is not "meaningless when it is offered with love and united to Christ." How does one practically "offer" their suffering?
- Reflect on a time you felt weak. How can the message of St. John Paul II change your perspective on that experience? What does it mean to be "faithful in your weakness"?
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Life is full of paradoxes, of things that seem self-contradictory or absurd but still remain true. Like in social media, where the more connected you are, the less connected you become. Or the truism that if you want to succeed, then expect to fail.
Today we celebrate the greatest paradox of all – the Cross of Christ. It’s the most brutal instrument of torture and death, and yet it’s also the tree of life. It’s a symbol of utter human weakness and failure, but also the ultimate proof of God’s power and love.
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Fr. Jude Langeh, CMF
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
NO ARCHIVED HOMILIES AVAILABLE: This Sunday the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross takes precedence over the 24th Sunday readings in Ordinary Time. Previous years in which this ocured were 2014, 2008, 2003, 1997, 1992, 1986, 1975.
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Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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The reflection questions and infographics featured in this section have been created with the help of Google Gemini 2.5 AI tools, using Chart.js and Tailwind CSS. THE WORD THIS WEEK is happy to offer these resources to any non-profit ministry for use, and kindly request that you provide credit to the website and the respective contributors whose content is illustrated.
Part 1: The Cross as Symbol and History
Father Radcliffe begins by establishing the Cross as the universally recognized symbol of Christianity, rooted in specific, tangible historical events.
Key Quotes:
- "When you see a building with a cross on it, you know at once that it is a Christian Church. The Cross is the most widely recognised symbol of Christianity."
- "[The feasts] commemorated respectively the discovery of the Cross... and the recovery of the Cross... they were certainly historical events."
Discussion Questions:
- The Cross is both a spiritual symbol and a historical artifact that was physically found and recovered. How does knowing the Cross was a real, tangible object impact your faith and its spiritual significance for you?
- Beyond churches, where do you encounter the Cross in your daily life (jewelry, art, etc.)? In a world where it is so common, how can we ensure the Cross remains a profound symbol for us and doesn't become just a decoration?
Part 2: The Cross and Human Sin
This section delves into the human dimension of the crucifixion, portraying it as a "routine" execution born from a "moral muddle" which ultimately became the greatest sin imaginable.
Key Quotes:
- "...the religious and secular powers... combined to condemn and execute an innocent man. As far as the powers were concerned, it was routine."
- "By their decision they committed the greatest sin imaginable: attempting to eliminate the man who was their God."
- "They did what they did from a mixture of motives, which is typical of fallen human beings... a typical moral muddle..."
Discussion Questions:
- The homily describes the crucifixion as a "routine" act by authorities who were rushed and just "doing their job." In what ways might we participate in or overlook "routine" injustices or "moral muddles" in our own lives, workplaces, or society today?
- Father Radcliffe notes that the executioners acted from a "mixture of motives," not pure evil. How does this concept help you understand your own sins and failings with more honesty and humility?
Part 3: The Cross and Divine Love
Here, the perspective shifts to Jesus' mind, where the Cross is transformed from an act of human failure into the ultimate, unwavering expression of God's faithful love.
Key Quotes:
- "But what was the meaning of the Cross in Jesus’ mind? It was the full and final expression of the love of God for his people and for his creation."
- "He will never take that back, no matter how we treat him, no matter what we do."
- "The life and the death of Jesus is one of total faithfulness, the sacrificial offering of a human life lived with perfect love and self-giving..."
Discussion Questions:
- How does contrasting the "moral muddle" of the executioners with the "total faithfulness" of Jesus deepen your appreciation for his sacrifice?
- Reflect on the powerful statement: "He will never take that back, no matter how we treat him." How can this truth about God's unwavering love give you courage in moments of personal failure or when you feel distant from God?
Part 4: The Paradoxical Power of the Cross
The conclusion brings all the themes together, presenting the Cross as the meeting point of opposites: the depth of sin and the height of love, death and life, making it "creation's binding force."
Key Quotes:
- "In the single event of the crucifixion we can see at the same time both the depths of human sin and degradation, and the heights of God’s forgiveness, love and power."
- "O faithful cross, you stand unmoved... Foundation of the universe, creation’s binding force."
- "‘In as much as you did this to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’."
Discussion Questions:
- The hymn quoted calls the Cross "creation's binding force." How does the Cross bind together seemingly opposite realities like justice and mercy, humanity and divinity, death and life?
- Father Radcliffe directly connects the crucifixion to how we treat "the least of these." Who are the vulnerable, overlooked, or suffering people in your community or in the world today? How does the reality of the Cross challenge you to see Christ in them and to act differently?
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. fr Fabian Radcliffe shows how the cross stands for both death and life.
The Cross is central to Christian faith. You will never find a Catholic Church without a cross, occasionally a plain cross, but most often a crucifix with the figure of the crucified Christ hanging on it. So, what does the Cross mean for us? What does it stand for? What moment in history does it bring before us? It was a moment (alas, one of many) when the religious and secular powers – in this case the Jewish and Roman – combined to condemn and execute an innocent man. As far as the powers were concerned, it was routine. Here was another religious and political fanatic, who was a threat to the stability of society and must be dealt with. Moreover, they had to do their job quickly because the Passover was imminent. They had no time to consider the case more carefully, even if they had wanted to do so.
Image: ‘Stone Town Slave Trade 5’ by Son of Groucho (CC BY 2.0)
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Part 1: The Uncomfortable Silence on Slavery
The author begins by contrasting the modern, universal condemnation of slavery with St. Paul's approach, noting Paul "does not insist that Philemon set Onesimus free."
- Why do you think St. Paul handles the situation with such diplomacy and deference to Philemon, the slave owner? Was this a strategic choice, a moral blind spot, or something else?
- Fr. Mullens suggests Paul is "like the man in Jesus’s parable" who assembles the right reasons but is "unable to ‘finish the work’ and draw the necessary conclusion." Do you agree with this assessment? Is Paul's failure to explicitly condemn slavery a weakness of the letter?
- How does it affect our view of scripture when we encounter passages that seem to conflict with our deeply held moral convictions?
Part 2: The Slow Progress of Tradition
Fr. Mullens argues that "the gradual unmasking of slavery as an inherently debasing institution is an example of the long and slow progress of tradition." He quotes, "How long the Gospel takes to permeate the human spirit!"
- What does Fr. Mullens mean when he says slavery "exercised a kind of deceit over the enslavers"? How do deeply ingrained social structures, even unjust ones, become normalized?
- Can you think of other examples in history where the Church's moral understanding has evolved significantly over time?
- Does this idea of a "slow progress" of tradition challenge your view of faith and morality? Does it imply that the Church can be "wrong" about a moral issue for centuries?
Part 3: A New Way of Seeing
The homily's core argument is that "the Gospel often teaches by changing our perspective." It redefines "natural" institutions like the family and slavery by creating a new, spiritual reality.
- Fr. Mullens connects Jesus's shocking command to "hate" one's family with Paul's vision for a spiritual family where a master (Philemon) and his slave (Onesimus) are now "brothers in Christ." How does this new spiritual identity completely change the dynamic between them?
- Fr. Mullens states that Paul gives Onesimus a way to see beyond his circumstances, so that he "can no longer think of himself a slave." How powerful is this "inner" or spiritual freedom if one's physical reality remains unchanged?
- History doesn't record Philemon's decision. The author presents two possibilities: freeing Onesimus or keeping him in chains. What are the theological implications of each choice, according to the article? Which outcome do you think is more powerful as a lesson?
Part 4: Connecting to the Modern World
The article concludes by linking the historical blindness to slavery with modern injustices and our own potential blind spots, quoting Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind."
- The author points to the modern-day evil of human trafficking. In what ways do we, like the British investors in West Indies plantations, participate in systems of exploitation without ever meeting the people who are harmed?
- The Dylan lyrics ask, "how many times can a man turn his head, and pretend that he just doesn’t see?" What are some of the injustices in our society today that we might be pretending not to see?
- After reading this article, what does it mean to you to "see differently" as a person of faith? How can we actively try to see the world through the lens of the Gospel rather than through the lens of our culture's "ordinary arrangements"?
Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year. Fr Bede Mullens considers the difficulties raised by the Letter to Philemon..
History does not record Philemon’s final decision. If he freed Onesimus, it was all for the best. If he insisted on keeping Onesimus in chains, he was only calling down judgment on himself, by making Onesimus even more clearly the image of Paul in prison, the image of Christ crucified. How often we fail to learn except from the scars we inflict, and the Spirit of Wisdom blows unpredictably to straighten out the paths of those on earth.
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Fr. Austin Fleming
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
We Look to the Cross
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The Enduring Power of the Gaze
Core Idea: The "primitive" act of the Israelites looking to a bronze serpent for healing is mirrored in our own Christian instinct to look to the Cross for life, mercy, and hope in the deserts of our lives.
Key Points:
- Jesus himself compares his crucifixion to Moses lifting up the serpent in the desert.
- This "primitive practice" continues today in many forms: genuflecting, wearing a cross, venerating the Cross on Good Friday, and pointing it out to our children.
Discussion Questions:
- The homily lists many ways we "gaze" at the Cross (in church, wearing one, at home). Which of these practices is most meaningful to you, and why? Are there any that you feel can sometimes become routine rather than a true act of faith?
- Why do you think Jesus chose the surprising and somewhat unsettling image of a deadly serpent on a pole to explain his own life-giving sacrifice on the Cross?
- Think about a personal "desert"—a time of doubt, sorrow, or spiritual dryness. How can the simple, physical act of looking at a crucifix bring a sense of life or hope into that experience?
Drawn to the Power of the Cross
Core Idea: The Cross is not just a symbol we look at; it has a spiritual gravity that actively draws us to its presence and power.
Key Points:
- Even when a crucifix seems disproportionately large in a church, we are not put off by it; we are drawn to it.
- Like the Israelites, we are drawn to an image of death (the Cross) and, paradoxically, find in it the promise of eternal life.
Discussion Questions:
- The homilist says, "We are drawn to it. It draws us to its presence and power." Have you ever felt this magnetic pull—a sense of comfort, strength, or focus—when looking at a Cross? Share that experience.
- What does it mean to you that we gaze upon "the death our sins have caused"? How does this difficult truth help us understand the depth of God's mercy?
- How do we explain to someone who is not a Christian the great paradox that the primary symbol of our faith is an instrument of torture and death? How is it a sign of life to you?
Our Share in the Victory
Core Idea: To truly celebrate the victory of the Cross, we must first acknowledge our need for the mercy it offers by honestly bringing our sins to it.
Key Points:
- We cannot know our share in Christ's victory if we don't first recognize our need for his forgiveness.
- We are called to bring our specific sins—complacency, selfishness, pride, greed, lies—to the foot of the Cross.
- Our personal struggles are connected to the very real suffering of persecuted Christians who are being crucified today for their faith.
Discussion Questions:
- Why is acknowledging our sinfulness and our need for mercy a necessary first step to experiencing the power and victory of the Cross?
- The homily lists specific sins we bring to the Cross. Which of these resonates most with your own struggles? How does the Cross offer a specific remedy or healing for that particular sin?
- The homilist calls us to have "a great, sick ache in our hearts" for persecuted Christians. How does remembering their sacrifice change the way you view your own daily crosses and struggles?
The Paradoxical Vision of the Cross
Core Idea: The Cross is the ultimate symbol of paradox, revealing multiple truths at once. In it, we see suffering and hope, wounding and healing, humiliation and glory.
Key Points:
- When we look to the Cross, we see the wounded Jesus who is our healing Lord.
- We see the thorn-crowned Jesus who is our mighty sovereign.
- We see the suffering Jesus who is our hope.
- We see the victorious Jesus who is our promise of life.
- This life is made present to us in the Eucharist, which we receive in the shadow of the Cross.
Discussion Questions:
- Of the four paradoxes listed above, which one speaks most directly to a situation in your life right now? How does it give you hope or change your perspective?
- How does receiving the Eucharist help make the victory of the Cross a present-day reality for you, rather than just a historical event we remember?
- The homily concludes with a final call to "gaze upon the image of the One who is lifted up." What is one practical, intentional way you can do this in the coming week?
2014 HOMILY — As the Israelites were drawn to gaze on the bronze image
of a serpent that was death for them
– and found life in doing so – so are we are drawn to that image of death that brings God’s healing promise of life forever.
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up so that all who believe in him may have eternal life.”
The Israelites gazed upon the image of the serpent that was their death. We gaze upon the death our sins have caused, upon the One whose shoulders bear the burden of our guilt, that we might be forgiven, healed and saved.
Ultimately, the Cross is an image of victory, not defeat. But how can we celebrate Christ’s victory if we do not know what is our share in it?
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────
Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Why Exalt the Cross?
The Feast and Its Meaning (Victory, Not Suffering)
Core Idea: This feast celebrates the Cross not as a symbol of Christ's suffering (like Good Friday) but as a sign of His ultimate victory, glory, and the new life it brings for all humanity.
Key Points from the Text:
- The feast dates back to the 4th century and is sometimes called the "Triumph of the Cross."
- Unlike Good Friday, which focuses on suffering, this feast highlights the victory of the Cross.
- Through the Cross, what was once a symbol of humiliation and execution is now a sign of God’s love, triumph, and glory.
Discussion Questions:
- The reflection distinguishes this feast from Good Friday by emphasizing "victory" over "suffering." How does thinking of the Cross as a symbol of triumph change your personal perspective on it?
- The history of the feast is tied to St. Helena's physical discovery of the Cross. Why are tangible symbols, historical events, and traditions important for keeping our faith grounded and alive?
- In your own life, what are some practical ways you can celebrate the "triumph" of the Cross, not just remember the pain?
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The Shock and Glory of the Cross
Core Idea: Modern familiarity with the Cross has dulled our sense of its original shock and horror. Its true "glory" is not in the symbol itself, but in the lives of those who actively witness to Christ in word and deed.
Key Points from the Text:
- We have become so accustomed to seeing the Cross that it is sometimes "reduced to a fashion statement or a good-luck charm."
- Early Christians understood its barbaric reality as an instrument of torture, public shame, and merciless death.
- The "glory of the Cross is seen in those who follow Christ daily in word and deed."
Discussion Questions:
- The text says we can "lose the sense of shock" the Cross originally evoked. What helps you to remember the profound and brutal reality of what the crucifixion entailed?
- The "glory of the Cross" is shown when our lives reflect Christ's presence. Can you share an example of a time when someone's actions (perhaps an act of forgiveness, sacrifice, or love) showed you the true meaning of the Cross?
- How can we, as individuals and as a community, work to reclaim the sacred meaning of the Cross in a culture that often trivializes it?
Lifted Up for Salvation (Serpent and Son)
Core Idea: The Old Testament story of the bronze serpent prefigures Jesus being "lifted up" on the Cross, transforming a symbol of death into a source of healing and eternal life for all who look upon it in faith.
Key Points from the Text:
- In the desert, the Israelites were healed from venomous bites by looking at a bronze serpent on a pole.
- Jesus uses this powerful imagery to explain his own crucifixion and saving mission to Nicodemus.
- Just as the serpent was lifted up for healing, Jesus is lifted up on the Cross so "everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
Discussion Questions:
- The act of "looking upon" the serpent required trust and faith from the Israelites. In your spiritual life, what does it mean for you to "look upon" the Cross to find healing?
- The wilderness was a place of both testing and intimacy with God. How does the Cross serve as a focal point for you during your own "wilderness" moments of trial and doubt?
- The love of God revealed on the Cross is for "the whole world." How does this truth challenge us to share the message of the Cross with others?
The Unvarnished Truth and Unearned Mercy
Core Idea: The Cross forces us to confront the "unvarnished truth" of human sin and our own brokenness, yet simultaneously reveals the even greater truth that God's mercy is a free, unearnable gift offered to all.
Key Points from the Text:
- The Cross reveals the "unvarnished truth" about humanity and our sins, exposing us as we really are.
- It shows that we are broken, finite, and unable to save ourselves.
- The Cross reveals the depth of God’s mercy and reconciliation—gifts we cannot earn but receive freely.
Discussion Questions:
If God’s mercy is a gift we cannot earn, how should this truth shape our daily actions and our interactions with others?
The reflection states that facing the "unvarnished truth" about ourselves "can set us free." How can honestly acknowledging our sins be a liberating experience rather than a purely negative one?
The text emphasizes that God "gave" and "sent" the Son. How does meditating on the generosity of God’s gift change the way you view your relationship with Him?
The Cross as a Promise and Hope
Core Idea: Like a wedding ring, the Cross serves as a tangible, constant reminder of God's unbreakable covenant of love and a source of enduring hope throughout the "desert trek" of our lives.
Key Points from the Text:
- The Cross is a reminder of a promise God made in love and fulfilled when the Son of Man was "lifted up."
- Like a ring glanced at in times of trouble, the Cross is a reassurance of God's commitment to be with us "in good times and in bad."
- It offers the promise of "continual help," so we do not lose hope as we face our shortcomings on life's journey.
Discussion Questions:
The guide mentions two "concrete signs" of God's love: Jesus (the Word made flesh) and the Cross he embraced. How do these two signs work together to strengthen your faith?
How does the analogy of the Cross as a wedding ring resonate with you? In what specific moments do you find yourself "glancing" at the Cross for reassurance of God's love?
We are all on a "desert trek" with "lots of missteps." How does the Cross provide you with concrete hope and strength when you face your own failings and the long road ahead?
Why are we celebrating the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in mid-September? Lent doesn’t begin until Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Before we turn to today’s scripture readings, let’s reflect on the feast.
Some history: The feast dates back to the fourth century. Tradition holds that St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem around the year 326, during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This is a very ancient feast, sometimes called the Triumph of the Cross. But unlike Good Friday, which focuses on Christ’s suffering, this feast highlights the victory of the Cross. Through the Cross came salvation and new life for us. Once a symbol of humiliation and execution, it is now a sign of God’s love, triumph, and glory.
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Fr. Charles E. Irvin
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Handed Over In Love
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The Common Thread – A Startling Connection
Core Idea: The same action, described by the verb "to hand over," connects the betrayers of Jesus with God the Father, revealing a powerful contrast between selfish motives and divine love.
Key Points from the Text:
- A single verb ("hand over," "betray," "deliver") links the actions of Judas, the Sanhedrin, Pilate, and God the Father.
- Judas handed Jesus over for love of money.
- The Sanhedrin handed Jesus over for love of their authority.
- Pilate handed Jesus over for love of his power and to avoid a riot.
- God the Father handed Jesus over for love of the world.
Discussion Questions:
- What was your initial reaction to the question: "What do Judas... Pilate... and God the Father have in common?" Did it seem confusing or even blasphemous, as the homilist suggested? Why?
- The homily argues that Judas, the Sanhedrin, and Pilate all acted out of a disordered love for something other than God (money, authority, power). In what subtle ways might we "hand over" or compromise our faith for the love of lesser things?
- How does seeing this "common thread" deepen your understanding of Romans 8:32 ("God... did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all")? What does it tell you about the nature of God's love versus human motivations?
The Motivation of Divine Love
Core Idea: While the human actors "handed over" Jesus out of sin and fear, God "gave" and "handed over" His Son as the ultimate expression of sacrificial love for a world He desperately wanted to save.
Key Points from the Text:
- The homily presents a powerful contrast: "Judas so loved money... But God so loved the world..."
- Jesus being "lifted up" on the Cross is the fulfillment of this divine plan of love, directly connecting to the healing power of the bronze serpent that was "lifted up" in the desert.
- Jesus willingly united his will to the Father's, loving the world with the same intensity.
Discussion Questions:
- The homily connects John 3:16 ("God so loved the world that he gave his only Son...") directly to the act of Jesus being "handed over." How does this transform the Crucifixion from a tragic execution into a deliberate and profound act of love?
- Jesus was "lifted up" on the Cross. How does this imagery help you see the Cross not just as an instrument of humiliation and death, but as a source of healing and eternal life?
- The homily notes that Jesus was obedient to death, loving the world just as much as the Father did. What does Jesus' active and willing participation in being "handed over" teach us about the nature of true love and obedience?
The Eucharist – Handed Over For You, Today
Core Idea: The sacrifice of Jesus being "handed over" is not just a historical event; it is made present to us in every Mass through the Eucharist, where Jesus continues to hand himself over for our salvation.
Key Points from the Text:
- The words of Consecration could be translated: "on the night he was handed over... This is my Body, which will be handed over for you."
- The "lifting up" of the Host at the Consecration is a direct visual and spiritual link to Jesus being "lifted up" on the Cross.
- This liturgical action reminds us that God's sacrificial love is a present and ongoing reality, not just a memory.
Discussion Questions:
- How does thinking about the Consecration with the words "handed over" instead of "betrayed" or "given up" change your perception of what is happening on the altar?
- The priest says, "This is my Body, which will be handed over for you." How does reflecting on the personal nature of this gift—that Jesus is handed over for you, personally—affect your preparation for and reception of Holy Communion?
- The next time you are at Mass and see the Host "lifted up," what new thoughts or prayers might come to mind based on this reflection? How can this understanding deepen your gratitude?
This week’s homily is from Fr. René J. Butler, M.S.
What do Judas, and the leaders of the Sanhedrin, and Pontius Pilate, all have in common with God the Father?
You might find the question confusing, even bizarre, if not downright blasphemous, but the idea came to me when reading a commentary of St. Augustine on the First Letter of John, which I also referred to in last week’s homily…
The common thread is the verb “hand over.” In more classical translations we read that Judas “betrayed” Jesus, the Sanhedrin “delivered” Jesus to Pilate, Pilate “delivered” Jesus to be crucified, and God “delivered him up.” The use of the identical verb easily goes unnoticed.
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Fr. George Smiga
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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Sighing for Cavalry
The reflection questions and infographics featured in this section have been created with the help of Google Gemini 2.5 AI tools, using Chart.js and Tailwind CSS. THE WORD THIS WEEK is happy to offer these resources to any non-profit ministry for use, and kindly request that you provide credit to the website and the respective contributors whose content is illustrated.
Introduction: Two Forms of Suffering
The poem presents a stark choice: is it worse to be actively hated and attacked, or to be completely ignored and left to die? Stoddard Kennedy uses this comparison to issue a powerful challenge to modern Christians, suggesting that our "civilized" inaction can be a source of profound suffering for Christ, who is present in those who suffer today.
Part 1: The Cruelty of Calvary
"When Jesus came to Calvary, they nailed him to a tree. They crowned him with a crown of thorns. Red were his wounds and deep, for those were crude and cruel days and human flesh was cheap."
Discussion Questions:
- The poem describes the actions at Calvary as "crude and cruel." What emotions does this direct, physical violence evoke in you?
- What does the phrase "human flesh was cheap" suggest about the society and the mindset of those who crucified Jesus?
- In this stanza, Jesus is the direct object of violent action. How does this contrast with what happens in the rest of the poem?
Part 2: The Tenderness of Birmingham
"When Jesus came to Birmingham, they only passed him by. They would not hurt a hair of him. They only let him die. For men had grown more tender. They would not give him pain. They only just passed down the street and left him in the rain."
Discussion Questions:
- The poem says of the people in Birmingham, "They would not hurt a hair of him." How is this "tenderness" a more subtle and perhaps more insidious form of cruelty?
- What is the difference between "killing" someone and "letting them die"? Why is this distinction so important to the poem's message?
- Who does "Jesus in the rain" represent in our own towns and cities today? Can you think of specific examples of people or groups who are "passed by"?
Part 3: The Sigh for Calvary
"And so it rained, the winter rain, that drenched him through and through. And when all the crowds had left the street, without a soul to see, then Jesus crouched against a wall and sighed for Calvary."
Discussion Questions:
- This is the most shocking part of the poem. Why would Jesus, after being abandoned in the cold, "sigh for Calvary"? What does this suggest about the pain of loneliness and indifference compared to physical suffering?
- At Calvary, Jesus was surrounded by people (even if they were hostile), and he was the center of attention. In Birmingham, he is utterly alone. In what ways is isolation a deeper form of suffering than persecution?
- What does this final image teach us about what God desires from humanity? Does it seem He prefers passionate engagement (even if negative) over passionless neglect?
Conclusion: The Call to Solidarity
"The cross is a sign for us to stand in solidarity with those who suffer."
Discussion Questions:
- After reading this poem, what does "standing in solidarity" mean to you in a practical sense?
- In what specific ways can you or your community move from "passing by" to actively engaging with and helping those who are suffering?
- How does this poem challenge you to see the Cross not just as a historical event, but as an ongoing reality present in the suffering of others today?
2008 HOMILY – Today we celebrate the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross. There are two distinct ways in which we can view this triumph or this victory. One way refers to what Christ has done; the other refers to what we are called to do.
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Exaltation of the Holy Cross
God Loves Us to Death
The cross is the symbol of the Christian. It is our sign of our personal relationship with our Savior. He died not just for people in general but for me and for you. He calls us to join him on his cross not just as a people but as individuals. The ideal that he realized is the goal of our lives, to make real the only true love there is: sacrificial love.
Some people treat the cross as a trinket. For them the cross is merely a piece of jewelry. Other people treat the cross in a superstitious manner. They give a cross powers that belong to God. These people have seen too many cheap horror movies and act as though a cross can defeat evil spirits. It is not the object that conquers evil, it is the power of Christ whose presence the object reminds us that conquers evil.
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Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The Wisdom and Power of the Cross
The readings for Wednesday’s Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross provide rich teachings. Let’s look at five themes, each in turn.
I. The Pattern of the Cross
II. The Palliative Cross
III. The Paradox of the Cross
IV. The Power of the Cross
V. The Passion of the Cross
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Fr. Michael Chua
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Jesus foresaw that his greatest work lay ahead as he ascended Calvary to embrace his own powerlessness and self-emptying. Paradoxically, it was when he most seemed powerless, that he was most powerful. The cross would prove victorious when meeting our ancient enemies on the battlefield – sin, death and evil would be defeated by the very sacrifice of Christ himself. Jesus’ radical embracing of his Passion — and our radical embracing of our own — marks the supreme moment of a person, whose life seems otherwise spinning out of control or into chaos, as God assumed control of one’s life and destiny through our willing immersion into His hope-filled and redemptive designs.
Our Lord doesn’t want a large number of disciples who are only half-way committed to Him. He’s looking for followers who are “all-in,” dedicated to Him through prayer and discipleship. Quality matters more than quantity. Such is the wisdom and the logic of the cross.
St. Teresa of Avila once complained about the hardships that Christians face, and she heard the Lord say, “Teresa, whom the Lord loves, He chastises. This is how I treat all my friends.” Ever the witty thinker, she responded, “No wonder you have so few friends!” So, if you are experiencing suffering, hardship and persecution for Christ, or have few friends because of the Christian values you hold, do not despair. Remember: we are counted among the Lord’s friends. So, learn to take up your cross and learn its logic, and you will be assured of a wisdom and a reward that is beyond this world.
When Protestants ask Catholics if they have been saved, the question would most likely be met with a stunned look on the part of the Catholic or an admission that he has never thought about this before. This comes as good news to the Protestant as he can now confidently proselytise the Catholic and ensure that the latter is saved by becoming a Bible believing, faith professing Protestant Christian. For many Protestants, one becomes a Christian by merely making a confession of faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Baptism comes later but isn’t necessary for our salvation. I guess the reason why most Catholics are not prepared with an answer to that question is that salvation or rather, heaven, is something they often take for granted. Why worry about this moot issue when we can all get to heaven?
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Veneration of the Cross
Our veneration of the cross reminds us of the most important moment in the history of the world: Jesus’ death bringing us salvation. Whatever about the authenticity of accounts of discerning the true cross by means of healings by touching it, we do have contemporary accounts from exorcists on the power of the cross. As part of the exorcism ritual, an exorcist holds up a cross over the afflicted person and says, “Behold the cross of the Lord” and commands the demons to leave. That is a key moment and those afflicted report afterwards that it was at that moment the demons began to go. There is a power in the cross of Jesus that I think we may not understand but these accounts help us to grasp the power of Jesus’ cross. All the graces that we receive, everything, come to us through Jesus’ death on the cross. That is what the blood and water flowing from Jesus’ side symbolize, though they especially represent baptism and the Eucharist. Everything comes to us from Jesus’ cross. That is why in the Gospel today, we heard John make a little fuss about seeing the blood and water flow from Jesus’ side (John 19:35). He does not want us to be in any doubt that all the graces we receive really come from Jesus on the cross.
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Exaltation of the Holy Cross
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NO ARCHIVED HOMILIES AVAILABLE: This Sunday the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross takes precedence over the 24th Sunday readings in Ordinary Time. Previous years in which this ocured were 2014, 2008, 2003, 1997, 1992, 1986, 1975.
The reflection questions and infographics featured in this section have been created with the help of Google Gemini 2.5 AI tools, using Chart.js and Tailwind CSS. THE WORD THIS WEEK is happy to offer these resources to any non-profit ministry for use, and kindly request that you provide credit to the website and the respective contributors whose content is illustrated.