Wednesday, November 27, 2013. 

Today's Liturgical Reading by Daily Flash, Goa. 

Feast of Holy Crucifix. 

Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; Psalm 77[78]:1-2, 34-38; Gospel : John 3:13-17.  OR Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Psalm Daniel 3:62-67; Gospel : Luke 21:12-19. [Please share today's Gospel with family, friends/neighbors.]

Focus:  “So must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15)

The cross is a favorite while naming chapels and churches, in every Christian home and workplace there’s always a cross.  And it is our most common religious adornment.  Why is it so special? For one thing it was the cruel device used to put our Savior to death.  But that’s not all.

The cross symbolizes and summarizes our faith as nothing else can.  Even an illiterate who cannot read the Bible has only to look at the cross to understand what Christianity is all about.   It serves as a signpost – showing the direction our lives need to take.  It is also about humility in the Spirit, repellent to all who are proud.  Is that why it is the main aid in exorcism?

More than anything  Jesus, by his death and resurrection, converted the cross from a symbol of defeat to a sign of victory (Gospel).  The Israelites who were dying after being bitten by poisonous snakes in the desert had only to gaze at the bronze serpent on the pole, and believe in God’s Promise, to survive (Numbers 21:9).  Shouldn’t we sinners who deserve death also lift up the crucified Christ and gaze lovingly at Him (Focus)?

Fruit:  When I pray, let me look up at the cross and believe in a very special way in the man Jesus – the Son of God – over whom death had no power.