Sermon 181 September 14, 2022 Jn 19:13-35, 1 Cor 1:17-28, Is 10:25-27, 11:10-12 Exaltation of the Cross.

 As preached by Brother Luke

Holy Wisdom Church

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
 
       Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Throughout the years artists have made striking icons of the cross, not to mention beautiful jewelry and of course the schema monk's traditional garment has the cross at Golgotha emblazoned on the front. Wonderful though they are, these images of the cross can obscure its horrific original reality. It was a sign and instrument of torture, humiliation, shame and death.

       As we read through the gospels we notice how many times Jesus turns traditional understandings of life and customs upside down. For example, think about the messages embedded in the Beatitudes. The cross is one more example of this grand reversal. An instrument of death becomes a sign of life eternal. I believe it is also a key to understanding what Jesus meant when he said that he has come so that we may have life more abundant.

       What does life more abundant mean? How can the cross be a symbol of that more abundant life? We are all called to learn from Jesus and to follow his example. And yet, the phrase "life more abundant" filtered through the lens of modern worldly understanding would put the stress on the word "abundant" whereas Jesus' way of living puts the stress on the word "life".

       Did Jesus live an abundant life according to the world's standards? No. He did not strive to acquire more and more possessions. He said: put your treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust can corrupt. He didn't hold down a high paying job nor strive for worldly status. Pay unto Cesare what is Cesare's and unto God what is God's. Did he own the biggest mansion in the neighborhood? No. The Son of Man has no place to lay his head. He didn't own the latest, greatest chariot. He had to borrow a donkey to ride "triumphantly" into Jerusalem. Did he surround himself with sycophants who told him only what he wanted to hear? No. He even included amongst his closest friends the man who would betray him. He turned on its head all the world's standards of abundance. The prosperity preachers of the modern age have no clue into what Jesus is really about.

       He told the rich man to give away all his possessions to the poor and follow him. When the devil taunted and tempted Jesus he used scripture to counter all the evil and dishonest lures for wealth and power thrown at him. And then, he freely let himself be captured, tried, convicted and killed in the most painful and shameful way used by the political authorities of his day. Nailed to a cross.  By doing this he transformed our understanding of what abundant life is all about.

       When we honestly look at how we feel when we desperately strive after all the "good things" this world can offer, we might notice that this type of passion is insatiable. And rather than filling us up with joy and happiness, it leaves us empty and only yearning for more and more. The abundant life is not about acquiring but rather about self-giving. This is the example Jesus gave to us to follow. And the cross is the key because through it he made the ultimate sacrifice to save us. So to follow in his footsteps is to follow the two basic commandments Jesus told us to observe: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the teaching of the prophets hang on these two commandments. Jesus' love was always going out from himself and never pointing to himself. And this is what his father and our father, that is God, is all about. Love, freely given. When you see the Cross, think love, and hold onto it tightly. Let it always be a reminder of the love that Jesus gave freely. The love we too can also give freely.

       Glory be to Jesus Christ!