FAITH BOOK

EXALTATION OF THE CROSS (A)

SEPT. 14, 2025

Numbers 21:4b-9; Psalm 78; Philippians 2: 6-11; John 3: 13-17

by Jude Siciliano, OP

  From today’s Gospel reading:

“For God so loved the world that God gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

 Reflection:

We are reminded on this feast to let the grace Jesus accomplished for us on the cross, work within us and transform us, so that we can love human kind as he did...and as God does. “For God so loved the world ....” Our memory is not simply a calling to mind a past event so we can be filled with guilt, or sympathy or only gratitude.

We remember that the earthy Jesus suffers no more, but the body of Christ in the world continues to suffer. For this is the one who said. “I was hungry, thirsty, imprisoned and naked.” The best way to remember Jesus on his cross is to receive his presence at this Eucharist and to serve those in the world who continue to suffer.

 So, we ask ourselves:

• As I make the “Sign of the Cross,” do I make it in solidarity and remembrance of those who continue to suffer on the many crosses humanity bears...war, exile, sickness, disease, violent death, racism, etc.?

• How can I relieve the cross of someone today?

• Shall I invite Jesus to share with me the particular cross I am carrying at this time in my life?

Click here for a link to this Sunday’s readings:

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm