All of us in this Cathedral, no
doubt, are carrying some sort of cross in our lives. It may be our own physical
or emotional suffering. It may be the concern we have for loved ones who are
bearing a heavy burden at this time. It may be a personal or family setback or
difficult situation.
What do we do in the midst of the
cross? The world in which we live tells us to avoid it at all cost; to run from
it; to use substances or other behaviors that offer a temporary, so-called
escape.
That approach to the cross is
radically different for followers of Christ. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem stated
that the Church is proud of all the actions of Jesus, but her greatest boast
is the Cross. That is because on the Cross, Jesus demonstrated perfect
obedience to the will of the Father. On the cross, He took on the darkness and
evil of the world and proved victorious destroying the power of sin, suffering
and even death itself. That is why the Letter to Hebrews tells us today
to “confidently approach this throne of grace to receive mercy and to find
grace for timely help” (4:16).
And so in just a few moments, the
Church invites us to venerate the Cross on which hung the Savior of the world.
As we do, we remember the words of Saint John Paul II: “There is no cross
that Christ has not already borne for us, and does not now bear with us.”
Thus, as you come forward for the
veneration of the Cross, tell the Lord in the silence of your heart the help that
you are seeking at this time in your life, and also mention the names of those
you know and love who are suffering at this very moment. Your veneration of the
cross is an act of faith! It reflects your belief that, in the midst of
our sufferings, we are united intimately to the Lord, the One who is with us
always, most especially in our hour of need; the One alone who provides us with
the grace, strength, and perseverance we need; and the One who offers us a
share in His victory both now and forever.
Dear friends in Christ, our greatest boast is the Cross. The
Cross is the throne of grace; it is the source of mercy. So take courage and
be stouthearted all you who hope in the Lord (cf. Ps. 27:14), because by His holy cross, He has
redeemed the world. Amen.