WEDNESDAY OF THE 24th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OF THE YEAR (II)
Mystery of the day: Glorious
Celebration: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
The public veneration of the Holy Cross dates from the fourth century. Today the Church commemorates the rescue of the true Cross of Christ by Emperor Heraclius in a victory over the Persians. Our Mother the Church sings of the triumph of the Holy Cross, the instrument of our salvation. In order to follow Christ, the Christian must take up his cross and become obedient with Christ, who was obedient until death, even death on the Cross. We are identified with Christ on the Cross. We become co-redeemers, sharing in Christ's Cross.
Table of the Word: Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17
Theme: The glory of the CROSS
Reflection for the day
"So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it up as a sign; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." (Numbers 21:9)
Indeed, "in the CROSS there is SALVATION." The salvation brought about by the Cross goes beyond human thought and imagination. To some the salvation supposed go to the rich, famous and créme of our society. Others seem to personalized the salvation; but in the wisdom of God salvation is for many who holds tenaciously to the detects and ordinances of God.
In today's first reading, the author of the book of Numbers gives an account of the Israelites' ingratitude to God and Moses, lamenting over what was not necessary at that point in time. Out of anger, serpent was sent to sting them as a result of this ill-acts.
As a loving God, He then reversed His decision with a command to Moses to turn the same agent of destruction to salvific symbol which in time will become universal channel of salvation for humanity.
"So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it up as a sign; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." (Numbers 21:9).
Then Moses did as rightly mandated. The very act which later in history manifested itself in the salvation history of humanity with the emptiness of Jesus our Lord and Saviour (kenosis) to become the victim for our sake (cf. Philippians 2:6-11).
This springs up from the already promise God made to humanity through Abraham out of love for man, which was renewed in the new age, with the sending of Jesus Christ to reconcile humanity with the divinity after the great fall (cf. Genesis 3:1). And Christ coming absolutely changed the human history and restored man to his originality in God.
As we celebrate the exaltation of the symbol of our faith and salvation today, let us lay our hope and trust under the foot of the Cross, be proud to associate with it through perseverance in our daily struggle. There and then we will be happy Christians., for in the Cross lies salvation and glory of humanity in Christ. Peace, be with you!
Let us pray
O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we who have known his mystery on earth may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
© The ARCHIVE 14092022
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