Homily — Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 2003

Fr. Timothy W. Castor

The year is 630 A.D., the place is Jerusalem. The Roman emperor Heraclius has come from the city of Constantinople to return a great treasure. Two years before, in a brilliant military victory, Heraclius had recovered the relics of the True Cross from Persia where they had been the object of pagan derision under the wicked king Chosroes who had stolen them fourteen years before. Six hundred years earlier, on a dark day in spring, this same Cross was roughly placed on the shoulders of a poor man from Galilee, called the King of the Jews, and carried out of this same city to a little hill where he was crucified. Now, encased in a beautiful silver box, the Cross is placed on the shoulders of another king, this time robed in rich fabrics and wearing a sumptuous crown on his head. Instead of the spitting and mockery of soldiers, this king is accompanied by festal music, great pomp and ceremony. But as Emperor Heraclius approaches the gates of the city with his precious treasure, something strange happens. He stops dead in his tracks. Try as he might, he is unable to move. It’s as if his feet had become rooted to the ground. The grand procession comes to a halt. Bewildered, the King turns to Zacharias, the patriarch of Jerusalem, who is accompanying him. Firmly but respectfully the wise old Bishop rebukes the mighty king: "O emperor," he says, "think how little you are imitating the poverty and humility of Christ Jesus when, in triumphal robes you carry his Cross. You walk in your gaudy imperial robes, he was meanly clad. You have on your head a rich diadem, he was crowned with a wreath of thorns. You go with your shoes on, he walked barefoot." Immediately, the emperor removes his regal garments and takes the jewel-encrusted slippers from off his feet. Barefoot now, and wearing only sackcloth, the emperor resumes the procession; and this time he walks easily through the city gates and into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where the sacred relics are replaced and venerated once again.

Today, many centuries later, we continue to venerate that sacred wood as we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Pieces of the True Cross are still preserved in many places throughout the world. They are the most precious relics we possess. And yet it is more than a mere object which we honor today. The crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ was the pivotal point in human history—the most important event of all time. And yet it is more than an event which we honor today.

Today we celebrate the mystery of the Holy Cross—it is the mystery of our redemption. And the little story of the emperor Heraclius tells us something about that mystery. It tells us that only those who are humble of heart can embrace and carry the Cross of Jesus Christ. To be redeemed by the blood of the Cross means to follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer, who died for us because we cannot save ourselves. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of the universe, willingly accepted humiliation, suffering and death in order to give us new life and victory over sin. He transformed that instrument of torture and execution into a tree of life; and what was once an ugly symbol of shame, has become a glorious standard of triumph.

This is the message of today’s second reading. Listen once again to the words of St. Paul: "Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross." But Paul does not stop there: "Because of this," he goes on, "God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name."

As we embrace the Cross of Christ, sharing in his sufferings, we have the sure promise that we will also share in his glory. Because the message of the Cross is a message of love. As it says in today’s Gospel, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son." Commenting on this passage, Saint John Chrysostom, the great 4^th century doctor of the Church, wrote this: "The text, God so loved the world, shows intensity of love. For great indeed and infinite is the distance between the two. He who is without end, or beginning of existence, Infinite Greatness, loved those who were of earth and ashes, creatures laden with sins innumerable. And the act which springs from the love is equally indicative of its vastness. For God gave not a servant, or an Angel, or an Archangel, but His Son. Again, had He had many sons, and given one, this would have been a very great gift; but now He has given His Only Begotten Son."

Jesus opened his arms on the Cross to enfold the whole world in his love. How intense is our love for Christ, who loved us so much? As we honor his Holy Cross today, may we be eager to take up that Cross, and carry it faithfully and humbly through this life. Returning love for love, and never turning away from the shame and suffering of the Cross, our blessed Lord—who is ever faithful—will reveal in us also its glory, and fill us with the love of which the Holy Cross is the sign and seal.

© 2003, The Rev. Timothy W. Castor