How does an instrument of execution become something the Church exalts? The readings reach back to a bronze serpent in the desert and forward to the Son of Man lifted up.
The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14) celebrates the cross of Christ as the instrument of our salvation. In The Mass Readings Explained, Dr. Brant Pitre walks through the readings and shows how the cross, an instrument of death, becomes the source of life.
Numbers recounts the bronze serpent Moses lifted up in the wilderness, so that all who looked on it would live (Numbers 21:4–9); Paul hymns Christ who humbled himself to death on a cross and was therefore exalted and given the name above every name (Philippians 2:6–11); and in the Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus that as Moses lifted up the serpent, so the Son of Man must be lifted up—"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son" (John 3:13–17). Pitre traces the link between the serpent, the crucifixion, and eternal life.
GOSPEL, FIRST READING & PSALM TRANSCRIPT (Subscribe or Login for Full Transcript):
September 14th is the Solemnity of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and this is one of those feasts, one of those solemnities in the Roman calendar that is so significant that when it falls on a Sunday, it actually will replace the Sunday Mass. And so the Church celebrates it every year on the 14th, but on years when that date will fall on a Sunday, the Church will come together even at Sunday Mass to commemorate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Key passages & sources examined: the bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness (Numbers 21); the Christ-hymn of humiliation and exaltation (Philippians 2); the Son of Man "lifted up" (John 3:14); "God so loved the world" (John 3:16).
What are the Mass readings for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross? Numbers 21:4b–9; Psalm 78:1–2, 34–38; Philippians 2:6–11; and the Gospel, John 3:13–17.
What is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross? A feast on September 14 honoring the cross of Christ as the means of our redemption.
How does the bronze serpent connect to the cross? As those bitten in the wilderness looked on the bronze serpent and lived, so those who look in faith to the crucified Christ are saved.
What does John 3:16 proclaim? "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son"—the heart of the gospel proclaimed in the day's reading.
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The Mass Explained and the Mass Readings Explained
These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
This is some outstanding advice for couples who are struggling in todays world and toxic culture. If you want to begin healing, find peace or just looking for advice; this is highly recommended.
The Mass Explained and the Mass Readings Explained
These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
