Let Us Look at the Cross
by Fr. David M. Knight
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Twenty-Third Week of the Year
Feast of the Exultation of the Cross
Lectionary 638
Nm 21:4b-9/Phil 2:6-11/Jn 3:13-17
Numbers 21:4-9: Everyone who looked at the bronze serpent “lifted up” as a symbol of Jesus “lifted up” on the cross and “raised up” from the dead, was healed. There is a lesson in this. If we look at Jesus crucified and risen, we will find a remedy for what destroys and diminishes our lives as individuals and as a society. St. Paul tells us why. It is because of what we will see.
In Philippians 2:6-11 Paul tells us we will see that Jesus “did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at”—even though, in fact, he was God. We don’t think of ourselves as “grasping at equality with God.” But isn’t this exactly what we are doing when we disobey him? Or don’t take seriously his teachings when they go against what “everyone,” ourselves included, assume is the smart way to act? Aren’t we making ourselves “like God” when we presume to say who shall live and die on this earth? We, who cannot create or sustain anyone in existence, nevertheless feel justified in executing those a human court has pronounced criminals. And this, even though we know God has pronounced them his own sons and daughters, gifted with his own divine life.
Paul tells us that if we look at Jesus on the cross, we will see the answer he made to sin and crime. He didn’t use his right as God to destroy those who were trying to destroy his plan for humanity. (If he did, he would have to eliminate more people in “high places” than recognized criminals). Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave... obediently accepting death, death on a cross!
So we should be willing to give our lives for the murderers and rapists, the serial killers and terrorist bombers? That is what the sight of Jesus on the cross tells us. And the confirmation of the message is that:
Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name above every other name; so that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend... and every tongue proclaim... “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD.”
Resurrection is a hard point to argue against. Seeing Christ on the cross may not win us to his way of thinking but seeing him risen from the dead gives pause. Especially if we see him as he really is, in glory; not just as someone who has come back to life. We need to hear
the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders... myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:11-12.)
That helps put things in perspective.
John 3:13-17 says, “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Our first response to evil should be to ask what we can do to save the person doing it.” This would save us and our society.
Initiative: Look at a crucifix. Imagine this body risen and glorious. Believe.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
Yorumlar