His precious cross

Joy Nanton of Holy Cross Parish, Santa Cruz, offers her thoughts on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14.

“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself” (Jn 12:32).

The greatest of all Christ’s actions and miracles is His Precious Cross, for by this Holy Cross He has redeemed the world from sin, death and opened the gates of Paradise, allowing us the freedom to return to our former blessedness as children of light, heirs to the Kingdom of God.

On the Cross at Golgotha, Jesus’ wounds, open and bleeding are a sign of His love for you, for me. They are the price of our ransom. They are a gift of Divine Mercy. His wounds are a safe refuge for us, a shelter from the evil one and sin.

The ‘Tree of Life’ that was planted by God in Paradise pre-figured this Precious Cross, for since death was by a tree, it was fitting that life and resurrection should be bestowed by a tree.

In the Eucharist, Jesus nourishes Christians with His own self, The Bread of Life, so that they may become a people more pleasing to God and filled with greater love of God and neighbour.

Just as we do not see our bodies growing as they are nourished by food and water so too, are we nourished and strengthened spiritually with the Eucharist as we receive and adore Him with the eyes of faith.

Because Christ Himself is present in the sacrament of the altar, He is to be honoured with the worship of Adoration. “To visit the Blessed Sacrament is … a proof of gratitude, an expression of love and a duty of adoration toward Christ Our Lord” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #1418 — Paul VI, MF 66). Adoration is the first act of the virtue of religion (CCC #2096).

“Perpetual Adoration of The Most Blessed Sacrament is the devotion which surpasses all others” wrote Pope Pius X.

Our souls are ‘lifted up,’ the Spirit of God comes to us in prayer and in offering our hearts to God truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. We are in the presence of the triune God.

“When I steeped myself in prayer, I was transported in spirit to the Chapel, where I saw the Lord Jesus, exposed in the Monstrance. In place of the Monstrance, I saw the glorious face of the Lord, and He said to me what you see in reality, these souls see through faith. Oh, how pleasing to Me is their faith! You see, although there appears to be no trace of life in Me, in reality it is present in its fullness in each and every Host. But for Me to be able to act upon the soul, the soul must have faith. O how pleasing to me is living faith!” – St Faustina Kowalska.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Mother of the Church, woman of humility and deep faith, you who stood at the foot of The Cross of your Son Jesus, pray for us to humble ourselves and become devoted Eucharistic Adorers of your Son Jesus. Pray that Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, be established throughout the Archdiocese and in all churches throughout the world.