The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is known by various names among Christians worldwide, including Holy Cross Day, Holy Rood Day, or Roodmas. It is celebrated on September 14th to mark the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. For Christians, the cross is a powerful symbol of salvation, this day commemorates the finding of the cross in 320 AD and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335 AD, which was built over the site where the cross was discovered.
While the Christian view of the cross is salvation, it, also, symbolizes a profound concept that extends beyond its religious significance. It serves as a potent reminder of the weight we carry in our lives, both figuratively and metaphorically. When Jesus asks us to carry our cross and bear his yoke, he calls upon us to acknowledge and embrace the trials and tribulations that shape our existence. Each of us grapples with burdens accumulated from our past and current experiences, influencing the way we navigate the world around us. These burdens manifest in the way we react to external stimuli, often without us being fully conscious of their presence. They can range from seemingly trivial inconveniences, for example a parent arriving late to pick us up, to more profound challenges like enduring bullying, navigating abusive relationships, or encountering discrimination based on factors beyond our control, like our physical appearance, cultural background, or personal beliefs and even shoe size or whether we smile correctly. These burdens, whether overt or covert, shape our perspectives and interactions with the world, forming a complex tapestry of human experience.
Recently, I know someone who took a week off from work because they could not handle the animosity that many in this world have towards another. There is so much noise. It stresses them out to see so many people not taking the time to listen and care about one another. Our Lord asks us to love one another. Not to look to another with vitriol. Anyway, during that time, they spent much time speaking with Our Lord about this. They asked Him to give them peace. No one can change another. We can only change ourselves. Eventually, after spending much time in prayer, they found peace because they laid down the pain and anguish that they were experiencing on our Lord’s shoulder (His Yoke).
So, if you find yourself struggling with financial difficulties, weighed down by the chaotic demands of the world, and facing an array of other challenges, why not release it all to the Lord and place your trust upon His yoke? Instead of expecting Him to conform to our desires, let’s explore how we can align ourselves with His will. Let’s cultivate a spirit of giving and extend to others the love we also long to receive.
“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Anxiety doesn’t help anything.”
~Padre Pio
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