Holy Cross Day

The Collect of the Day
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
~BCP pg. 244

The Psalm
98

The Readings
Isaiah 45:21-25      +      Philippians 2:5-11      +      John 12:31-36a

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
~John 12:32

Many are accustomed to thinking of the Christian faith in terms of exclusion, either implicitly or explicitly--who is in, who is out; who is right, who is wrong; who is going to heaven, who is going to hell. This is hardly surprising, given the often  popular depiction of Christians, and the actual behavior of many Christians who tend to speak certain parts of Scripture through a megaphone, implying that the whole of Scripture must be organized around a fundamental of exclusion. If that is how we are accustomed to thinking of Christian faith, then the readings for Holy Cross Day, taken one right on top of the other, can come as quite shocking.

The Psalmist proclaims that, not only has it been witnessed by all the world, but God's victory is a cause of rejoicing for all nations and even the earth itself. In Isaiah, the LORD calls all the ends of the earth: "Turn to me and be saved . . . To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." The language is echoed in the letter to the Philippians. And in the Gospel, Jesus declares in no uncertain terms that he will draw all people to himself.

Did Jesus really mean all people?

What might it mean for us to take these readings to heart as truth? Imagine for a moment that these readings are a core, on which the whole of Scripture is organized around a fundamental of salvation. Resist the urge to say, "Well, of course that sounds great, but . . ." and instead simply sit and embrace for a while these scriptures. And let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for embracing the cross for our redemption. Help us to follow in your way. And give us ears to hear the word of salvation that you speak, and a heart to believe it. Amen.