Touching the “True Cross”
- Fr Raphael Ma, CR
- John 3: 13 - 17
A Resurrectionist Vocation Minute for September 14, Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Touching the “True Cross”
The origins of today’s feast day have to do with story behind the finding of, the building of a Church over, and eventually the first public veneration of the “True Cross” in the year 335.
While we might tend to smugly turn our noses up at the idea that the “True Cross” which Jesus carried – and upon which he was crucified – could actually be found and verified, laying that skepticism aside for a moment – if it could somehow be verified and you were standing before an actual part of the “True Cross”, would you want to reach out and touch it?
Why would you want to touch it?
Some people might be drawn to touch it because they believe it must have spiritual “power” – maybe these people are looking for healing, or a blessing, or to receive something. Others might be drawn to touch it as an act of reverence or gratitude, physical contact, an emotional connection, a “moment” with this great act of love that Jesus showed us. Others maybe just out of curiosity, or all or some mixture of the above.
But the fact of the matter, there is no “power”, “connection”, or anything special really about a piece of wood – even if it is in fact an authentic part of the Cross upon which Jesus accepted torture and death out of love for us.
The only power, meaning, and connection that touching the Cross really has on us is from the fact that Jesus’ Cross has already touched our lives from the first moment of our Baptism, and that through it, Jesus is continuing to transform our lives today. This is the meaning of the “Paschal Mystery”.
Jesus offered himself “once for all” as the author of the letter to the Hebrews reminds us, but we will only experience the power, the meaning, the connection that his gift of himself offers us if we are willing to allow Jesus’ Cross to touch us in our own daily difficulties, struggles, and hardships that we face.
Whether or not we get the opportunity to venerate a relic of the “True Cross” in our life time, we are always able to touch the Cross of Jesus in this way.
“O Risen Lord, the way, the truth and the life, make us faithful followers of the spirit of your resurrection. Grant that we may be inwardly renewed, dying to ourselves in order that you may live in us. May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of your love. Use us as your instruments for the renewal of society, bringing your life and love to all and leading them to your Church. This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever. Amen.”