SELECTED REFLECTIONS OF THE LAITY
EXALTATION OF THE CROSS
The readings will be as follows:
*1st Reading: (Numbers 21:4-9)*
*RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 78:1-2.34-35.36—37.38 (R. cf.7b)*
*2nd Reading: (Philippians 2:6-11)*
*Gospel Reading: (John 3:13-17)*
Reflection on the 1st Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Humanly speaking, the complaints of the Israelites were very annoying. How could they have described the blessings of God - the food that they were all eating and be satisfied worthless! In our human environment we still have person or persons who can never appreciate favours done to them.
Though not to revenge the insult, but to teach them some useful lessons, God commanded serpents against them where upon they cried out to Moses for help. There's this saying that: God who created the muddy waters that people matched, is the same God that created the clean water that people used to wash their muddy feet. And so God commanded Moses to make a resemblance of the serpent for their help.
This act of God (the making of the bronze serpent by Moses) was by itself pointing to something more special - the prefiguration of the Cross of Christ. As the children of the Old Israel were saved by looking at the bronze serpent so also will we, the children of the New Israel be saved when ever we Venerate and or Reflect on the Holy Cross of Christ.
Glory to Jesus.
Ebonine Tochukwu Joachim MCD
Reflection
The Cross is the apex of love, it is the instrument on which was rewritten the horrible history of sinful humanity. We should not be afraid to look at the cross, as it is a true sign of victory against sin and death. Jesus says in today's GOSPEL, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life." The cross once bore the fruits of death; today, it bears life for those who desire to savor its fruits. Fear not, therefore, to look at the cross, hang it on the doorpost of your home, office, or around your neck. We draw strength from it when the challenges and setbacks of this world outweigh us. Looking at our Savior bearing our death, we triumph with and through Him.
Br. Simon-Derah Joseph
Title: His Name Is Mercy
The readings of today invite us to contemplate the mystery of the Cross as both a sign of suffering and salvation. In the first reading (Numbers 21:4–9), the Israelites, weary and rebellious, are healed by simply gazing at the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses. This prefigures Christ in the Gospel (John 3:13–17), who tells us that the Son of Man must be lifted up so that all who look upon Him with faith may have eternal life. The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 78) reminds us of God’s mercy though we often forget Him, He never forgets us.
St. Paul in the second reading (Philippians 2:6–11) beautifully presents Christ’s humility: though divine, He emptied Himself, embracing obedience even unto death on the Cross. This challenges us in our world today, where pride, self-promotion, and selfish ambition often dominate. As Christians, we are called to find strength in humility, healing in the Cross, and hope in God’s merciful love.
Personally, I recall moments of struggle when I felt overwhelmed, yet looking to the crucifix reminded me that my pain is not meaningless God transforms even suffering into grace. In a society chasing comfort, Christ’s Cross teaches us that true victory often comes through sacrifice, forgiveness, and trust in God’s plan.
Today, may we gaze upon the Cross not as defeat but as the ultimate sign of love, and allow it to shape our lives so that, like Christ, we too may lift others up to hope and new life.
Ushie paschal
Thanksgiving, humility and trust. We are the Israelite of this generation because we only want more miracles just to prove to people that God is ours and from our tribe😂😂what if the going get though would you visit another god or would you insult God? BeingI a thorough believer comes with a task, you can't get it all the same, when it's going dark that's when God wants to see who you truly are, it's not easy during those dark hour but you just have to tell HIM; I believe help my unbelieve. People now come to the house of God with thanksgiving but the question is was it truly God of heaven and earth that did it for you?
Jesus didn't claim equality with God the father, He accepted his role and played with us human even when He knew who He truly was and is. Take for instance a little promotion in our place of work, we Lord it over everyone , when we have little money we begin to speak to people anyhow, how much do you have? do You know who I am and several comment, look closely at Jesus He was humble, his birth alone shows humility not to talk of his death , it's been said until One test money or position before you know who they truly are, which is common amongst friends and in the church. It's a wake up call for us to understand the humility of Jesus. Humility is not to become less of yourself, Spend time studying the bible especially the new testament and see how Christ responded to many issues and how he lived his life , He touched lives, He welcomed all who have been rejected, He played with the sick and even those who were abandoned, He gave hope to the deserted and showed mercy to all. He didn't claim equality with the Father.
Can you truly say Jesus I trust in you both in good and bad days ? He came to save us and show us the way. Last week Sunday we saw how a young boy of 15 years was made a saint , this boy(Carlo acutis) in this present generation he used the internet to preach the word of God and the Eucharist, he was so passionate about the Eucharist with trust. we can't serve two masters at same time because you can't fool God , you can't bring the devils gift into His house and expect him to accept it. Not all thanksgiving are accepted by HIM though the priest will accept it but the Lord knows the best. Trust and believe in God no matter what you are going through, there would be moment of doubt and complain, still trust in him.
God's instruction to Moses to anyone who is bitten by the snake and if they look up will be save, the cross has become a sign of victory for us , looking at the cross each time makes me stronger. The cross was meant to be a shame but now it's grace favour and mercy, we adore you O Christ and we praise you.
Do you have a crucifix in your house? Be thankful no matter the situation, live a life of humility and trust in him, if he could find a way for the Israelite He can do it for us ,just trust and obey, those who journey with Christ are saved.
Emmanuel John Uko
The _Kenosis_ always has a strong message for me, down to goosebumps, each time I meditate or reflect on it. Jesus knew who he was, yet that didn't matter to him. He knew what he was capable of, yet he didn't dwell on it. What mattered to him was to fulfil his divine mission of redemption, and he would sacrifice even his last breath to accomplish it. No wonder he said on the cross "It is accomplished" before bowing his head and embracing the cold hands of death.
But what came next was the shocker to everyone who witnessed it. He didn't remain down there, he was exalted. He rose. He reigns forever.
When we place God's mission first and would sacrifice what we cherish to fulfill it, God sees it and smiles in willingness to bless us.
May nothing that we cherish separate us from God's love.
MartinsMary Uker
Reflection for the Exaltation of the Cross (Numbers 21:4-9; Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17)
The Cross is not just a symbol of suffering but of victory, transformation, and ultimate love.
In the first reading (Numbers 21:4-9), the Israelites, in their impatience and complaints, found themselves bitten by fiery serpents. Yet, when Moses lifted up the bronze serpent, those who looked upon it were healed. This teaches us that even in our deepest struggles, when we fix our eyes on God, healing and restoration flow.
In the second reading (Philippians 2:6-11), St. Paul presents Christ as the perfect model of humility. Though He was divine, He “emptied Himself” and embraced the Cross. His exaltation came not through pride or domination, but through obedience and self-sacrificial love. Here lies a powerful lesson: true greatness is found in service, and true power in surrender to God’s will.
The Gospel (John 3:13-17) crowns it all with the most profound truth: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” The Cross reveals the heart of God—a love that gives without counting the cost. It is not condemnation but salvation that flows from the Cross.
Beloved, the Cross invites us to rethink our struggles. Life’s difficulties may feel like fiery serpents biting us, but when we lift our gaze to Christ crucified, we find strength, direction, and purpose. The Cross transforms pain into hope, weakness into strength, and death into life.
Socially and emotionally, this teaches us to embrace sacrifice in relationships, service in communities, and forgiveness in conflicts. Spiritually, it calls us to humility and obedience, knowing that exaltation follows surrender.
As Pope St. John Paul II once said: *“Do not be afraid to embrace the Cross. Without it, there is no true love, no true life, no true joy.”* And as the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche remarked, *“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”* The Cross gives us our “why”—God’s unchanging love.
Therefore, let us not run from the Cross but embrace it. In our daily burdens, sacrifices, and challenges, may we see opportunities for grace. Let us encourage one another, lift one another up, and remind each other that every cross carried with Christ leads to resurrection.
Today, let us appreciate the gift of God’s love and courageously live it out. Look to the Cross not with fear but with faith, not with sorrow but with gratitude, for through it salvation has come to us all.
“When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself” (John 12:32).
