The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast)

Christ Jesus . . . humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.

As we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross today, let’s consider the humility that our Savior embraced for us. St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians describes how, even through excruciating pain and the weight of our sin, Jesus “humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The cross—that very object of scorn and humiliation—became the means of our salvation! Let’s take a moment and thank Jesus today for this wondrous gift:

“Jesus, your humble acceptance of the cross saved the world. Even though you are God, you “emptied” yourself and became a man in order to bring new life and salvation to us (Philippians 2:7). And in your humanity, you accepted the Father’s will for your life. Help me to embrace the Father’s will, especially when it’s not comfortable or easy.

“Jesus, your humble acceptance of the cross saved the world. You were ‘greatly exalted’ for your obedience (Philippians 2:9). You are a living testimony of your teaching that ‘many who are first will be last, and the last will be first’ (Matthew 19:30). I look to you and to your cross for strength and the power to follow you, in this life and in the next.

“Jesus, your humble acceptance of the cross saved the world. In your humility, you don’t condemn me or anyone else—you simply offer eternal life (John 3:17). I choose to follow you, Jesus, even when it seems to contradict the way I think things should go. I bend my knee and declare that you are Lord of my life and Lord of this world, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11)!”

“Jesus, you are the Lord! I choose to follow you in humility today.”

Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38
Philippians 2:6-11
John 3:13-17