14/09/2026
Reflection for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows
September 14, 2026
Gospel: John 3:13-17
Every 14th of September, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. The day after, every 15th of September, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.
During the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, we are invited to reflect once again on the love of God he showed through the death of Christ on the cross. He so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life (John 3:16). We, Catholics, celebrate this love shown to us by Christ on the cross every time we celebrate the Holy Mass. During the Mass, there is always a crucifix on or near the altar to help us in our meditation.
Moreover, we display the cross at our home and office altars, inside our bedrooms, inside our classrooms, and even inside our cars. We wear the crucifix as medals or pendants to our necklaces. We make the sign of the cross before and after we pray, among many other occasions, as a way of reminding ourselves of our redemption through the cross. Invoking the Blessed Trinity, we ask God to bless and protect us through the cross. These pious exercises and use of sacramentals are commendable. Through them, we also “proclaim Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:23). Yet, the more serious matter is this call of Christ which most of us find immensely challenging to do: “take up your cross and follow me.”
Admittedly, we are afraid of this kind of cross. We are afraid of hardships, sickness and all sorts of trials. We would sometimes ask God why do we need to suffer when we are trying to be close to Lord? Why do we still suffer when we are exerting efforts to be good and actively serving God and his Church? We question God because we do not like to suffer like him. When Peter heard Jesus say that he would suffer in Jerusalem, Peter reproached Jesus and said: “Never, Lord! No, this must never happen to you!” Then Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path.” Are we an obstacle also in the path of Jesus? The path of Jesus is the path of the cross, the way of the cross. His path is not the way of comfort, enjoyment and merry-making. True enough, when Jesus suffered in Jerusalem, all of the disciples could not be found at the foot of the cross. They all escaped (Judas even killed himself) except for one—the beloved disciple. Why was he there during the crucifixion? Why was he not afraid to be at the foot of the cross? The Gospels did not explain or give an explicit reason. However, the Gospel of John provided one important detail: the beloved disciple was found to be with the Blessed Virgin Mary. So prior to that scene at the foot of the cross when Jesus said “Woman, behold your Son,” and to the beloved disciple, “Behold, your Mother,” the beloved disciple happened to meet Mary. Together, they followed the way of the cross to Calvary.
When we are afraid, when we have problems, or when we are carrying heavy crosses in life, where do we go? Do we hide ourselves in locked rooms like the other apostles? Do we despair like Judas? Do we deny Christ like Peter? Do we abandon God? Do we resort to drug or drink as ways to escape?
The beloved disciple, during the time of the passion, found himself with Mary. With Mary, the beloved disciple found himself at the foot of the cross.
And so when we feel like abandoning God and the cross when we face problems and difficulties in life, let us try going to Mary. She will lead us back to the foot of the cross. She will lead us back to Jesus and his redeeming love.
Sin leads us away from Jesus. Jesus died on the cross because of our sins. However, when we go to Mary, she will help us humble ourselves and acknowledge our sins. When pray Marian prayers, for example, Mary helps us acknowledge that we are “sinful and sorrowful” (Memorare), “poor banished children of Eve” (Salve Regina), and in need of her prayers as we say “pray for us sinners” (Ave Maria). We invoke her in the Confiteor. With Mary, “Mother of Mercy,” “Virgin Most Merciful,” and “Refuge of Sinners,” we sing in the Magnificat “for He has remembered His promise of mercy.” Mary, through Church-approved apparitions, consistently calls for penance and prayer for sinners’ conversion. Her rosary helps us reflect on life, passion, death and resurrection of her Son. Her example of obedience, complete trust in God, surrender to his will, and love for Jesus also help us live good Christian lives.
Hence, one could not underestimate the role of Mary in leading sinners back to God, back to the cross of Christ, and back to living holy lives. As sung in the Pasyong Mahal ( #0011):
“Kami po ay uod lamang
Sa lupa ay gumagapang,
lipos ng dilang kasam-an,
Virgen, kundi mo tulungan,
anong aming kapakanan?“
With Mary, we contemplate Christ on the cross where he is loving us, forgiving us, and saving us. Using the words of Saint Francis of Assisi and with Mary before the cross, we can then say:
"We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, in all your churches throughout the whole world, and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world."
Pro Deo et Ecclesia! 🙏
(copied from CFD Diocese of Cubao)
