Dear Parishioners:
Over the years I have had countless conversations with friends and relatives
about Religion, as I am sure many of you have. It never seems to fail that
eventually people say things like: "The world is such a mess, why does God
allow for so much evil to go on in the world? Why doesn't he just strike down
the terrorists, annihilate the evil doers?
Doesn't the world deserve to be purged of its evil ways? When engaged in these
conversations I usually think of the passage we heard in today's second
reading, (Phil. 2:6-11) where Paul tells us that Jesus showed us, the Way to
redeem the world is through unconditional Love, humility and obedience. Not
manipulation or over-powering one another. Evil can ultimately, only be
conquered by Love.
Today's feast of the "Triumph of the Cross" celebrates this profound
mystery that healing and redemption for the world comes by the Way of the
Cross, not the power of the sword. If we look upon the Face of the Crucified
Christ we will see a Love that knows no limits, a Love so strong that it can
turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. The Face of the Crucified Christ
elicits from us true faith and makes possible a real conversion of heart.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says it beautifully:
(CCC#160) "Indeed, Christ invited people to faith and conversion, but
never coerced them. 'For he bore witness to the truth but refused to use force
to impose it on those who spoke against it. His kingdom... grows by the love
with which Christ, lifted up on the cross, draws us to himself.'[41]"
As we celebrate this feast of the Triumph of the Cross let us lift our eyes to
the Crucified Christ, from whom comes all hope and healing for us and for the
world!
Deacon Michael