Gospel Reflection Sept 14 – Father Black
Sunday, September 14
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
John 3: 13 – 17
Gospel:
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
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.”
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Gospel Reflection:
As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross, our gospel reminds us of the mysterious workings of God. Just as Moses lifted up a serpent, a creature which brings much fear in most cases, the Son of God was lifted onto the cross, an object which mostly represented defeat. This is how we are able to use the term Exaltation regarding today’s memory of the cross. Even the worst of our earthly fears is overcome by the power of our God. This same power is available, through the mercy of God and the sacraments, in our times of dealing with our sinfulness. The transforming power of God is active in our lives. This power will help us change bad into good. This power will help us fear into courage. This power will help us change defeat into exaltation. Let us all embrace the power of God in order to change our lives.
Father Black