SUNDAY HOMILY OF EXALTATION OF THE CROSS: YEAR C

SUNDAY HOMILY OF EXALTATION OF THE CROSS: YEAR C

HOMILY THEME: SALVATION THROUGH THE CROSS

BY: Fr. Karabari Paul

Num 21 : 4-9, Phil 2:6-11, Jn 3:13-17

“The Son of man must be lifted up.”
(Numbers 21:4b-9, Ps78:1-2.34-35.36—37.38, Philippians 2:6-11, John 3:13-17)

Beloved in Christ, today’s Word confronts us with a mystery so profound that it touches the very core of our existence: salvation through the Cross. In the desert, the Israelites grumbled against God and were struck by fiery serpents. Death was near, but God, in His mercy, gave them a sign of healing—the bronze serpent. Whoever looked upon it with faith lived. That serpent was more than metal on a pole; it was a foreshadowing of the Cross of Christ. Humanity, bitten by the venom of sin, destined for death, now looks upon the crucified Saviour—and in that gaze, faith opens the door to life eternal. The Cross is not defeat, but victory; not shame, but glory; not despair, but the fountain of unending hope.

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St. Paul lifts our hearts even higher in the second reading. He shows us Christ Jesus, who, though equal with God, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant. He humbled Himself, embracing death—death on a cross! That is the deepest valley of humiliation, yet it became the highest mountain of exaltation. Because of His obedience, the Father exalted Him above every name. This means salvation is not in our pride, not in our power, but in humble surrender to the will of God. The Cross reminds us that glory comes through humility, resurrection through crucifixion, and life through death.

In the Gospel, Jesus Himself declares the eternal truth: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” Beloved, the Cross is not an accident—it is God’s design of love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” On Calvary, love was not spoken in soft words, but in blood, sweat, and sacrifice. The nails, the thorns, the wounds—all of them shout: This is how much I love you. Christ was not lifted up to condemn us, but to draw us into salvation, to heal every soul poisoned by sin, and to open for us the gates of eternity.

Therefore, let us never forget the deeds of the Lord! As the Psalmist proclaims, though we are unfaithful, God remains compassionate, forgiving, and merciful. The Cross is our healing, our strength, our redemption. When sin bites, when despair strangles, when guilt crushes us—let us run, not from the Cross, but to it. There, we find forgiveness. There we find new life. There, we discover that love has conquered death forever. Beloved, lift your eyes to the Cross, cling to it with faith, and proclaim with your whole life: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Cross, you have redeemed the world.” GOD IS STILL ON THE THRONE. May His mercy overshadow you, may His Cross shield you, and may His blessing rest upon you and your household, now and forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Good morning, and remain blessed.

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