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.
The Psalm
98
The Readings
Isaiah 45:21-25 + Philippians 2:5-11 + John 12:31-36a
Sing to the Lord a new song, *
for he has done marvelous things.
With his right hand and his holy arm *
has he won for himself the victory.
~ Psalm 98:1-2
This is a feast with a fascinating and in some ways confusing history. (See the book, Holy Cross, Life-Giving Tree by Episcopal priest Donnel O'Flynn for more on that.) Suffice it to say that it is similar in its themes to Good Friday, but is explicitly a celebratory feast--The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him (antiphon at Morning Prayer on Holy Cross Day, BCP p. 81).
The universality of God's victory over death is reflected in the day's readings and in the traditional customs and hymnody of the feast, which assert that the wood of this shameful instrument of death has become for all the world the place of life, a tree bearing fruit to eternity. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself (John 12:32). We are reminded that the cross is not merely a symbol, not merely a spur to reflection, or an unlikely example of hope. The cross is the very place of God’s love revealed for us. And the glory and victory of God is in that love revealed. At the very place where we least expect it, the evil and brokenness of the world is judged and driven out by the victory of God.
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"The New Creation, Opened by the Cross" by Aidan O'Flynn and Jana Laxa;
inspired by Paul Gauckler's "Sketch of the Floor Mosaic of the Byzantine-Era Baptistery at Oued Ramel, Tunisia"
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Hymn no. 162 in our hymnal is a sixth-century text composed for this day on which we exalt the cross as God's means for our salvation. (See the video below for the music, with the latin text.)
The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow
where he through whom our flesh was made,
in that same flesh our ransom paid.
Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old;
how God the nation's King should be,
for God is reigning from the tree.
O tree of beauty, tree most fair,
ordained those holy limbs to bear
gone is thy shame, each crimson bough
proclaims the King of glory now.
Blest tree, whose chosen branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore,
the price which none but he could pay
to spoil the spoiler of his prey.
O cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
to save us sinners from our sin,
God's righteousness for all to win.
To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done;
as by the cross thou dost restore
so rule and guide us evermore.
Amen.
The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow
where he through whom our flesh was made,
in that same flesh our ransom paid.
Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old;
how God the nation's King should be,
for God is reigning from the tree.
O tree of beauty, tree most fair,
ordained those holy limbs to bear
gone is thy shame, each crimson bough
proclaims the King of glory now.
Blest tree, whose chosen branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore,
the price which none but he could pay
to spoil the spoiler of his prey.
O cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
to save us sinners from our sin,
God's righteousness for all to win.
To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done;
as by the cross thou dost restore
so rule and guide us evermore.
Amen.
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