The Exhalation of the Holy Cross

It seems very popular and fashionable today for so many people to try to figure out "who they are."  So many claim to be "reinventing" or "rediscovering" themselves.

If you've ever wondered who you are or how to get to know yourself deeper today is the day.  This is the feast where you can see yourself as God sees you.

Look at the cross.  Stare deeply into its mystery.

See who you are!  

Look at your sin. 
See the wretched evil that caused so awful a torment.
See who you are.
See your sinfulness.

But don't just stop there.
Look deeper and see yourself anew.
See your beauty.
See how you are loved.
See your forgiveness and salvation.
See your dignity.
Look! And see who you really are!
Beloved by God, forgiven, and saved.

The cross is not only the mirror where we can see who we are...
The cross is where we see who God is.

Look! See God's true identity!

See God's humility.
God... the creator of the entire cosmos became a man.
God took on our pain, weakness, and suffering.
See God's humility that He allowed himself to endure such shame.

See God's Love!
Look and see the depth of compassion and love.
Has, ever, anyone ever suffered so without complaint nor protest?
See His mercy and forbearance that He would love and pray for those who betrayed, abandoned, tortured, and murdered Him.
See His love.
See how He did it all for love of you.
See the depth of God's love!

See God's majesty!

Has ever a crown sat atop the head of a king with greater nobility than those thorns sat on His head?

Has ever jewelry decorated the body of a king with such dignity like those iron nails adorned His flesh?

Has ever a throne raised a king to such exalted heights as that bead of wood raised Him?

See His majesty!

It is right that we exalt the cross for it is in the mystery of the cross that we see who we really are.  

It is in the cross where we see who God truly is!