Cross is necessary to Lift us all

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Feast : Exaltation of the Cross*

*Ordinary Season : 24th Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Jn 3:13–17*

*First Reading : Nm 21:4b–9*

*SECOND READING Phil 2:6–11*

*Cross is necessary to Lift us all*

*1) Cross and Jesus*

There is a close connection between Jesus and the Cross.

There is no meaning for the Cross without Jesus and Jesus' mission is incomplete without the Cross

So Where there is Jesus, there is Cross and Where there is Cross, there is Jesus 

*2) Jesus is Lifted on the Cross*

The Gospel says that, *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.”*

Lifting up on the Cross was the integral part of Jesus' mission 

The mission becomes incomplete without being lifted up on the Cross

So lifting on the Cross was necessary

*3) What happens when Jesus is lifted up?*

Lifting up was the climax of Jesus' mission 

By Lifting up on the Cross Jesus accomplishes His mission 

By Lifting up Jesus on the Cross, all the people will see him. All those who see Jesus will be saved forever

*4) Lifted Jesus is seen Every where*

There is no place where there is no Cross in the World 

In Every country, at least in one place or the another Cross is present 

The Crucifix is present and it has become very powerful because, Jesus was lifted up on the Cross

So Jesus is seen everywhere

*5) Lifting up on the Cross is necessary*

Since Jesus achieves His mission by being lifted up on the Cross, for the followers there is no other was to accomplish their mission 

The Cross and by being lifted up on Cross, can only the way to accomplish our mission 

There is no shortcut for a Christian to achieve his/her mission other than Cross and by being lifted up on the Cross

*6) How we are lifted up on the Cross?*

In our every day life, there are many instances where we experience, being lifted up on the Cross

When we are misunderstood by the others 

When suffer for others mistakes 

When we fail miserably in our life

When we are punished for others mistakes

When we are left alone 

When there are so many challenges in our lives 

When we have to suffer to keep up our faith alive 

When we are targeted because we belong to Christ 

When we suffer for the sake of Christ

When we serve, love, sacrifice, and live for the sake of Jesus 

When we are humiliated for the sake of Christ 

Am I ready to be lifted up on the Crosses of daily life to accomplish my Mission of life??

*Happy Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*