Delivered by Michaela Phie, Clairine, Reinaldy Fargo, dan Kezia Nikita Sheilanova from the Parish of Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Numbers 21: 4-9; Rs psalm 78: 1-2.34-35.36-37.38; Philippians 2: 6-11; John 3: 13-17.

RENEWED BY THE CROSS OF CHRIST

The title for our meditation on this24th Sunday in ordinary time is: Renewed by the Cross of Christ.Today the whole Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Cross. This feast beganto be celebrated in Rome around the end of the 7th century. Its purpose was tocommemorate the discovery of a portion of the cross of Jesus which was kept inJerusalem in the hands of the Persians. Emperor Heraclius found part of thecross and took it to Jerusalem on May 3, 629.

What does being renewed by the crossof Christ mean? The Lord Jesus came to unite the earth and the heaven. Heraises those who are on earth to the glory in heaven. He explains this toNicodemus, one of the Jewish rabbis, that He is the "Son of Man" sentby the Father to restore man's broken relationship with God. He is the OldTestament Messiah who came from heaven to build His kingdom on earth.

Unlike the Jewish view, Jesus isprecisely speaking of the Son of Man being exalted. What does it mean? Heattributes it to Moses who raised a bronze snake in the desert to heal thosewho were bitten by poisonous snakes. The Israelites were punished for grumblingand dishonouring God. Moses raised that bronze snake on a pole that signifies across, from which people must return to putting their faith only in God.

This symbol is intended to emphasizewhat Jesus wants to show us, that through His death on the cross in Golgotha,He does save us. But what Jesus makes is much stronger, because what Moses didwas only for some temporary results, namely healing people from snakebites.Jesus’ death on the cross actually brings true victory over sin, Satan anddeath. By dying on the cross, Jesus removes the debt of our sins, freeing usfrom error and punishment. We obtain a new life, an abundant life in the HolySpirit forever.

This renewed life means that by Hisdeath on the cross Jesus shows and teaches us an act of love, that is, givingHimself totally. He does it as an offering of His love for the Father and forour salvation from sinfull life. This renewal also explains the resurrection ofour bodies to enjoy eternal life and sitting on the right hand of the Father toreign forever and ever. The Lord Jesus is in heaven but His Spirit accompaniesand guides our lives here on earth. We live today and are truly blessed here bythe victory of Christ on the cross.

Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord Jesus Christ, may our lives both individuals and the churchcontinue to be illuminated and strengthened by the mystery of your holy crosswhich is a glorious victory for us. Glory to the Father… In the name of theFather ...