Triumph of the Holy Cross

Reading 1: Numbers 21:4b-9; Reading 2: Phillipians 2:6-11; Gospel: John 3:13-17

On September 14 we will celebrate the Triumph of the Holy Cross. This day we celebrate the cross of Jesus as a sign of glory. We are remembering that almost 6 months ago we held up the cross on Good Friday. This is not a symbol that we pull out once a year during Holy Week to remind us of Jesus’ suffering and death for our sins. This is a symbol of the living Christ who lives in each of us and loves us even to death.

St. Helena who lived about 300 years after Jesus and was the mother of Constantine who was the first emperor to be baptized a Christian brought the Cross to the forefront of people’s minds. According to legend she did this by setting off to Jerusalem to search for the cross of Jesus. When I read about this I thought an impossible task, how could you find a wood cross that is over 300 years old since it should have most likely disintegrated at that point? Then I thought a little more and determined that it is a holy object, one that held the body of our Lord, Jesus as he gave his life for us it would of course still be intact. The legend goes on to tell us that St. Helena did indeed find the Cross on a hillside and it was covered with basil, which we all know is a wonderful herb with a very aromatic scent. One of the little known facts that most of do not know about basil is that it is a symbol of resurrection because it can sprout in dry soil and grow very quickly.

Do you have a crucifix or cross hanging in your home? If you do is it in a place of honor? We should be proud as Catholic Christians to display this reminder of Christ’s love for us. One of the ones we have in our home was a gift from my husband’s godparents for our wedding. How about you does one of the crucifixes you own have a special memory associated with it?

The Christians in Ethiopia pout fresh basil and other late summer herbs and wildflowers by their cross on September 14. This could be a custom to start in your home, especially if you are a gardener and have an abundance of herbs at this time of the year. Another way to celebrate is to make a cross shaped dessert like a cake or sugar cookies and decorate them for the occasion.

Whatever way you choose to honor this day always keep in mind that Jesus died so we could be united with him in heaven.
(The information in this post came from Take Me Home Too, published by LTP, 1007)