August 6 2024 - Transfiguration and the Cross

 Today, August 6, is the feast of the transfiguration of the Lord. But why August 6? No where in scripture are there any hints regarding the date Jesus was transfigured.

This liturgical feast is not quite as ancient as others. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, was adopted in the liturgy in about the tenth century in many dioceses, and was celebrated mostly on 6 August. In 1456, Pope Callixtus III extended the feast to the Universal Church in memory of a victory over the Ottoman Turks in Belgrade on August 6, 1456.

Many have noted that August 6 is 40 days prior to the feast of the Exultation of the Cross, which is a much older feast, going back to Constantine’s dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 335. 

And that explanation makes sense to me, as there is a very strong theological connection between the transfiguration and the cross. 

The Transfiguration occurs in Luke’s Gospel directly after Christ calls His followers to pick up their Cross and follow Him: “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.”

In St. Luke’s account of the Transfiguration, Jesus speaks with Moses and Elijah about the exodus—the deliverance—that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem, namely his saving death on the cross. 

The Transfiguration cannot really be understood apart from the cross. The liturgy itself makes this connection. In the Eucharistic preface, we will hear that Jesus “revealed his glory in the presence of chosen witnesses and filled with the greatest splendor his bodily form which he shares with all humanity, that the scandal of the Cross might be removed from the hearts of his disciples”.

Not long after the Transfiguration, Christ and His Apostles had to leave the mountain in order to endure the Cross. But he provided this glimpse of glory as a consolation, to strengthen them, for the dark road ahead. 

Likewise, God provides us with beautiful consolations—even the ability to come into a beautiful church like this every week—or every day if we want—is a consolation that strengthens us. We climb the summit of the altar—to be consoled with bread from heaven—so that we might have the strength to bear our own crosses, which again, the Lord teaches us, that each of us must take up our crosses daily, or we will lose the life God desires for us.

In our sufferings, challenges, crosses, temptations and trials of faith may the hope of glory, the hope of heavenly life, sustain us, that we may merit to become coheirs with the beloved Son of the Father, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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For the Church, that she may always be a beacon of Christ's light in the world, illuminating the path of faith for all believers. Let us pray to the Lord.

For all Christians, that we may have the courage to take up our crosses daily, inspired by the glimpse of glory revealed in Christ's Transfiguration. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our parish community, that our participation in the Eucharist may transfigure us, giving us the strength to bear witness to Christ in our daily lives. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those facing trials and sufferings, that they may find strength and consolation in the promise of Christ's glory, just as the apostles were strengthened for the journey ahead. Let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have died, that they may share in the fullness of Christ's glory in heaven, which was glimpsed on Mount Tabor, especially N, for whom this mass is offered. Let us pray to the Lord.

For our personal intentions, that we may offer them to God with trust, knowing that He who was transfigured before His disciples hears our prayers. (Pause for silent prayer) Let us pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, You revealed the glory of Your Son on Mount Tabor, strengthening the disciples for the journey ahead. As we bring these petitions before You, transfigure our hearts with Your grace, that we may faithfully bear our crosses and reflect Your light in the world.

September 14 2022 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - The sign of God's love for sinners

Today marks the celebration of what Saint John Paul II called THE symbol of Christianity. Most of us marked ourselves with it upon entering the Church today, we began mass with it, we’ll end Mass with it.  Essentially, every time we Catholics pray, we begin and end our prayer with it.  Many of our bedrooms and dining rooms have one.  All types of people where it around their necks, from bishops to baseball players to teenage rockstars.   The priest holds his arms in this shape during the Eucharistic prayer.  It is the central focal point of every Catholic church.  Of course, I’m speaking of the cross.

Worn around our necks, adorning our homes and churches, beginning and ending our prayers, the cross is not a good luck charm, it is a reminder that in baptism the Christian has been claimed by Christ, loved by God, that Christ has died for us. “God so loved the world” as we heard in our Gospel today, “that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Christ was sent unto the cross, that we might be delivered unto heaven.

The cross is a sign of God’s love. When we make the sign of the cross, when we wear a cross, when we adorn our home with a cross, that cross is to be a reminder of God’s love; the willingness of Christ to go to the cross for you and for me and every sinner. Not because we were righteous, but because we were lost. Heaven was closed for us. Hell was our destiny.

The cross of suffering and death embraced by Christ is the key that opened the gates of heaven, it is the new tree of life from which flows the fruit of eternal life, so much so that the early Christians sang: O Crux ave, spes unica.  Hail O Cross, Our Only Hope. Piis adauge gratiam, reisque dele crimina, grant increase of grace to believers and remove the sins of the guilty.

And yet, today is not simply a reflection on the importance of the cross 2000 years ago, it is a called for Christians to make the cross known to the world. The feast is called the exaltation of the cross—the lifting high of the cross, the bringing the light of the cross to others.

St. Louis de Montfort says "The cross is a sure sign that God loves you... The greatest proof that we are loved by God is when we are despised by the world and burdened with crosses--when we are made to endure the privation of things we could rightly claim; when our holiest wishes meet with opposition; when we are afflicted with distressing and hurtful insults; when we are subjected to persecution, to have our actions misinterpreted by good people or by those who are our best friends... If Christians knew the value of the cross they would walk a hundred miles to obtain it, because enclosed in the beloved cross is true wisdom..."

The light of the Cross shows us the love God has for us, and by taking up our own crosses, embracing self-sacrifice, service, mortification, penance and ever persecution for the sake of the kingdom, we show that it is by the light of the cross, not the light of worldly values and pleasures, that we are made worthy of the kingdom of heaven.

May we exalt the cross in all we say and do, and by it ourselves be exalted, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Church may lift high the Cross of Christ, proclaiming forgiveness and redemption in him alone, we pray to the Lord...

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and take hold of the peace and justice that only he can bring, we pray to the Lord...

That all whose lives are marked by suffering may discover the saving power of the cross of Christ, and be victorious in all their trials, we pray to the Lord...

That those who embrace the cross as they work for justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the unborn, may find strength and success in their work, we pray to the Lord…

That the sick may be blessed with patience during the difficult parts of their journey in life, we pray to the Lord...

That all who have died may experience the eternal life won by the cross of Christ, especially the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for my dear friend Father Robert Wendelken on the anniversary of his death, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered, we pray to the Lord...

Almighty ever-living God, comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil, may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulation come before you, that all may rejoice, because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand. Through Christ our Lord. (From Good Friday Petitions)

 

September 14 2021 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Crux Spes Unica (The Cross is our only hope)

This last Sunday, Our Lord told us that we must take up our crosses. Today, on this feast of the exaltation we hear that we are not only to take up our crosses, but lift up the cross of Christ to be a source of healing for the world. We hear twice in our readings about lifting something up. 

In the first reading, from the book of Numbers, we hear how the people of Ancient Israel had become afflicted with this terrible and deadly venom, bitten by snakes on their journey through the desert. God delivered them, he saved them, by giving them a powerful remedy. Moses was instructed to mount and lift up this serpent mounted on a pole, and all who looked upon it were saved.

In the Gospel, the Lord explains how his very public death on the cross was to be a source of healing, not just for a small group of people at one point in history, but a source of healing for all the world throughout all of history. 

Paul says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” Christians are tasked with lifting high this cross, to help the perishing believe in its power, to wake them out of their slumber to help them know the healing, the salvation that comes through the cross.

Paul wrote those words to the fractured community of Corinth. Many of the Corinthian Christians had turned away from the cross, they had fallen back into the immorality and perversions of the world—their souls were at risk. So Paul encouraged the Corinthians to look to the cross as a sign of healing for the divided community, a way out of their divisive sinfulness. The cross would unite them, the cross would heal them of the snake venom of sinfulness. 

The cross is the call to conversion because it is a sign of God’s great love for us, that he desires so much more for us than the sinfulness we have so often freely chosen. He desires our wholeness, our holiness, our salvation, so much that he is willingness to go to the cross for us. 

There are so many divisions in the 21st century Church it’s almost like we’re one gigantic Corinth. Yes, many gifts, many graces, but also many divisions, many sins. The early Church had a saying, Crux spes unica—the cross is our only hope. 

Many times throughout the day, we do well to spend a few moments looking to the cross, pleading to the crucified one, to bring us healing, bring us wholeness, bring us unity, that we may lift high the cross in our own lives for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Church may lift high the Cross of Christ, proclaiming forgiveness and redemption in him alone, we pray to the Lord...

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and take hold of the peace and justice that only he can bring, we pray to the Lord...

That all whose lives are marked by suffering may discover the saving power of the cross of Christ, and be victorious in all their trials, we pray to the Lord...

That those who embrace the cross as they work for justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the unborn, may find strength and success in their work, we pray to the Lord…

That the sick may be blessed with patience during the difficult parts of their journey in life, we pray to the Lord...

That all who have died may experience the eternal life won by the cross of Christ, especially the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for my dear friend Father Robert Wendelken on the anniversary of his death, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered, we pray to the Lord...

Almighty ever-living God, comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil, may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulation come before you, that all may rejoice, because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand. Through Christ our Lord. (From Good Friday Petitions)

September 14, 2020 - Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Holy Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

IN 1224, St. Francis of Assisi traveled with about a dozen of his fellow friars, a hundred or so miles from Rome to an isolated mountaintop called La Verna to make a spiritual retreat. Eating little and praying constantly, it is said that at La Verna Francis did great spiritual battle with the powers of evil, encountering great hostility from the devil, as did the old desert fathers like St. Anthony. But Francis also experienced intense moments of communion with God, even levitating far above the ground in raptured prayer. 

On September 14, 1224, just before sunrise, Francis was kneeling in prayer pleaded, “O Lord, I beg of you two graces before I die: to experience in myself in all possible fullness the pains of your cruel passion and to feel for you the same love that made you sacrifice yourself for us.” Suddenly, from the heights of heaven came a seraph with six wings bearing the likeness of the Crucified One. Staring at Francis, he imprinted on the saint’s flesh the marks of crucifixion, the holy Stigmata.

In this powerful story, St. Francis teaches us something quite profound about today’s liturgical feast and really for the Christian life. On this feast, we pray that the cross may be exalted, literally meaning, brought out into the light, that it may be seen and adored and glorified. The Church exalts the cross, that others may come to know, believe in, and love, the one whom upon the cross brought forth our salvation. 

It is said that when St. Francis contemplated the Crucifixion he used to weep, lamenting that, “Love is not loved.” That the love of Jesus Christ shown forth for us on the cross, is ignored by so many. And so he sought, didn’t he, to conform his life as much as possible—through radical poverty, obedience, chastity, preaching, and fasting, and embracing the sufferings of the cross. St. Francis saw in the Cross the humble, self-emptying love of God for us, and so his one great desire was that in everything, he would be conformed to the cross.

The holy stigmata was certainly a sign that Francis conformed himself to the cross: in experiencing the suffering of the cross, and also experiencing the love Christ showed upon the cross. And here is the lesson: we are called to do the same.

This Feast is to remind us that by our lives, we are meant to do the same: to willingly accept the sufferings that come from God, our share in the cross of Christ, in order to make Christ known, and to be animated by the love that Jesus showed on the cross for all, and to hate everything that keeps us from this purpose.

May we strive to live with this depth of faith, hope, and love in the cross and in the crucified one, that we may make him known in all we do, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

 

Let us pray with confidence to Christ who endured the cross to redeem us.

That Pope Francis and all of the ordained may seek to conform themselves to Christ Crucified in all of their ministerial efforts, especially Bishop Edward Malesic, who will be installed as the Bishop of Cleveland today.

That politicians and government officials will protect religious freedom, promote virtue, and look to the to the example of our Crucified Lord to guide their work for the good of nations and the human race.

That as Our Lord emptied himself upon the cross, we may follow his example of humility in concrete acts of Christian service.

Through the cross, may God grant fortitude and patience to all who through sickness or hardship have a share in Christ’s passion.

That we may all be led through the Lord’s Passion and Cross to the Glory of the Resurrection, especially N. for whom this Mass is offered.

Graciously hear, O God, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in the cross of Christ may never be left without your assistance. Through the same Christ Our Lord.

5th Week of Lent 2018 - Tuesday - When the Son of Man is lifted up

“When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM.”

Like the bronze serpent which was salvation for those who looked on it in that first reading, Jesus lifted up on the cross becomes salvation for all who look on him in faith.

Jesus told people they would die in their sins unless they believed that He was God. So it is the task of the Christian to constantly lift up Jesus, that belief in Him may spread, and souls may be saved. Lifting up Jesus unleashes a life-changing, parish-changing, and world-changing power. Therefore, we must devote ourselves to ensuring that Jesus is constantly being lifted up.

How can we lift up Jesus for others to see?

Jesus is lifted up in the preaching and teaching of the Church.  Next time an adult education or scripture study opportunity is offered, invite someone who is struggling with their faith to join you.
As he is lifted up in the Eucharist at Mass, we can invite family and neighbors to attend mass with us, even daily mass. Bring a friend to Mass, then take them out for coffee.

Jesus is lifted up in the monstrance at Eucharistic Adoration.  There are many people who are hungering for a deeper, intimate prayer life who have never visited a Eucharistic Adoration. You can invite them next time you make a holy hour!

Jesus is to be lifted up in our speech.  Many Christians don't share their faith with others, but many are hungering to know Jesus, to know how he changes lives. In our efforts of spreading the Gospel, that personal testimony of how faith in Jesus Christ has changed you is so important. Speak about the peace you receive when you make a good confession, the graces you’ve received through fasting and prayer and engaging in works of charity, the healing you’ve received through forgiving an enemy.

Another way to lift him up is by displaying a crucifix. if you visit a friend or family member who doesn’t have one in their home, you can make a gift and encourage them to display the crucifix. Or give a crucifix as a gift to a poor college student in your life to display in their dorm room.

May our Lenten observances help us to lift up Jesus in our words, our choices, our manner of life, that the Lord may draw all men to himself through us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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That God may be pleased to increase faith and understanding in the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.
That those in need may find assistance in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.
For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.
That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.

September 14, 2017 - The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross - Lumen Crucis, Light of the Cross

The word ‘exaltation’, as in the ‘exaltation of the Cross’ literally means, to bring to light. The Christian is charged with bringing the Lumen Crucis, the light of the cross, to the world.

Even the finding of the True Cross by St. Helen underscores this mission. St. Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. St. Helen found the True Cross buried underneath a Temple to the Pagan Goddess Venus which had been built over Mount Calvary, the place of crucifixion. The cult of Venus was a cult of sex and pleasure, seeking worldly pleasures in this life. The cult of the Cross on the other hand, seeks not the fulfillment of worldly pleasure in this life, but the life of sacrifice in order to attain eternal life.

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” says the Lord.

The Gospel today refers to the Old Testament story of the serpent being lifted up in the desert. The Lord commanded that this strange, poisonous death dealing snake be lifted up for the people to see and be healed. So, too, the Christian is charged to lift up the strange, death dealing cross for all the world to see to be a sign of the ultimate healing that comes through following Christ.

In light of this feast, we are reminded of the need to take up our cross every day in order to follow Christ, whom we love. We do that by detaching from the earthly objects and pursuits which demand we love Christ less, the earthly interests which keep us from prayer and Christian service.

St. Anthony of Padua in a sermon on the cross said: “You cannot better appreciate your worth than by looking into the mirror of the Cross of Christ; there you will learn how you are to deflate your pride, how you must mortify the desires of the flesh, how you are to pray to your Father for those who persecute you, and to commend your spirit into God’s hands.”

The light of the Cross shows us the love God has for us, and by taking up our own crosses, embracing self-sacrifice, service, mortification, and penance for the sake of the kingdom, we show that it is by the light of the cross, not the light of worldly values and pleasures, that we are made worthy of the kingdom of heaven.

May we exalt the cross in all way say and do, and by it be exalted, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the Church may lift high the Cross of Christ, proclaiming forgiveness and redemption in him alone, we pray to the Lord...

That world leaders may look upon the Son of God, believe in him, and take hold of the peace and justice that only he can bring, we pray to the Lord...

That all whose lives are marked by suffering may discover the saving power of the cross of Christ, and be victorious in all their trials, we pray to the Lord...

That those who embrace the cross as they work for justice for the poor, the oppressed, and the unborn, may find strength and success in their work, we pray to the Lord…

That the sick may be blessed with patience during the difficult parts of their journey in life, we pray to the Lord...

That all who have died may experience the eternal life won by the cross of Christ, especially the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for Father Robert Wendelken on the anniversary of his death, and for N. for whom this Mass is offered, we pray to the Lord...

Almighty ever-living God, comfort of mourners, strength of all who toil, may the prayers of those who cry out in any tribulation come before you, that all may rejoice, because in their hour of need your mercy was at hand. Through Christ our Lord. (From Good Friday Petitions)