What is important about the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross?
September 14 celebrates the feast of the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross, commemorating the discovery of the true cross. Its importance lies in the theology of the cross that the feast proclaims. The cross, the instrument of humiliation and death, is transformed into a symbol of liberation and life. The willing “defeat” that Jesus suffered by dying on the cross for our sake becomes our true symbol of liberation and triumph.
In baptism, we express our willingness to die with Christ so that we may rise with him. The cross is the ultimate symbol and expression of our baptismal commitment and mission. When we enter church, we are asked to make this connection very clear by signing ourselves with water and the cross, both a living reminder of our baptismal call and mission. We begin and end all our prayers and liturgical celebrations marked with the sign of the cross.
The first ritual celebration that catechumens, adults desiring baptism, experience is that of being marked with the cross of Christ on their foreheads and other parts of their bodies. The cross is the true focus of their catechumenal journey to baptism in Christ. The cross is the focus of our desire to live like Jesus and to be willing to give of ourselves.
©2009 Liturgical Publications Inc, New Berlin, WI 53151
Used with permission
