Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Lectionary: 638

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."



"No Cross, No Crown" the Quaker William Penn wrote as he cooled his heels in the infamous Tower of London. His book has become a classic of Christian literature, even as its title became a well-known Gospel hymn. The young man would eventually win the support of his father and the English king, and his resolute faith in God would shape Protestant spirituality for centuries to come. 
The secular equivalent, "No pain, no gain!" misses the point entirely, for the Christian seeks to emulate our Lord Jesus, first by our prayers, then through fasting, and finally by sacrifice. 
Whenever we look to a cross or crucifix we must be reminded  that ours is not an easy way of life. It may be far easier than the brutal life of dishonesty, greed, lust, envy and so forth; but it's not easy -- and isn't supposed to be. 
The Lord in his infinite kindness invites us, "Take up your cross each day and follow in my steps." 
Introducing the topic of "spirituality" to Veterans in recovery, I sometimes show them a graphic of the stages of human life, a series of silhouettes. The point being, it's not easy to walk upright. It takes strength, agility and careful balance from the toes through the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and neck; and months to learn. Because the head is so heavy, as the body weakens the spine may be compressed or curved. Even healthy adults occasionally trip and fall. Eventually in old age most of us need a cane, staff or walker to keep going, if we can manage it at all. 
It's not easy to be human. But, unlike all other mammals, we prefer to walk. We take pride in it because it takes courage! 
The challenge of walking is reflected by a greater spiritual challenge: to be fully human we must take up our cross each day and follow in Jesus' steps.
Today, as Catholics are humiliated by the recurrent Scandal, realizing that the attempt to hide it from public view was, in fact, conspiracy to commit crime, the Lord calls us again to take up the cross, with its grief, confusion, shame and guilt and follow Him. This life of prayer is not easy; it is the Way of Salvation. 
No Cross, No Crown