Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Good morning. Today we are reminded that we are all called to follow in the way of love—the love of the cross. In the Gospel for today we are reminded that our Creator, God the Father, sent His Son for our salvation. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” He gave His life so that we might have life and He continues to give this life to us for the asking. He is joined with us through His church forever and through marriage this love is expressed and revealed daily through us. For as we are reminded “no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The salvation of society is found in the cross. 

We need to remind ourselves that marriage as God intended from the beginning is at the heart of society. It is the first and most basic community to which every person belongs. If we are going to change anything, if we desire to eliminate the ills of our culture it must begin with marriage and the family. Many people speak of systemic change and then look about in all the wrong places. If we wish to make society better we need to begin at the very core of society—the family. As Blessed Pope John Paul II noted, "The future of humanity passes by way of the family" It is through marriage and the family His saving presence is made known. 

Much of the present ills of our society have to do with disordered sense of love which flies in the face of marriage and family. Society’s disordered understanding of love runs contrary to how marriage was intended from the beginning, that marriage is about life and it is for life.  We need to remind ourselves that the cross is about life as well. The daily sacrifice of one spouse for the other and for parent for a child, when truly lived in the shadow of the cross, reflects for all to see the love we are called to live. All the grand enticement social service programs just will not cut it, it must begin with at the core of it all—the family. If we are to indeed save the world, or even our little corner of it must begin with following Christ. We must make known the message of the cross in our marriage and in our family, for the love of the cross is made known in marriage. It is made real in marriage. I encourage you to help the Church by speaking to others about how you try to follow the way of love. Let me know. Make it real today. Make a great day! 

Today we celebrate the Exaltation of the Cross.