14 September 2027 · Syro-Malankara Rite
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“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
Today the Church lifts up the Cross. According to tradition, St Helena found the Cross of the Lord in Jerusalem, and on 13 September 335 the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was dedicated; the next day the Cross was shown to the people. The instrument of shame has become the sign of victory. We do not celebrate suffering for its own sake, but the love that went to the end and the life that came forth from death.
In the desert the people, bitten by serpents, looked at the bronze serpent Moses lifted up, and lived: “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” Jesus said: “just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Whoever looks to the crucified Christ with faith is healed of the poison of sin. St Paul says: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13).
The Fathers saw the Cross foreshadowed everywhere. Jacob, blessing Joseph's sons, crossed his hands, “laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh.” David went out against the armed giant with nothing but faith: “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts.” So Christ defeated the enemy with the wood of the Cross.
The season of Sleebo turns our eyes to the end of time. Jesus speaks of signs in the sun, moon and stars, and of distress among nations; then “they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.” In the evening Gospel “the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven”; many Fathers understood that sign to be the Cross. For believers this is not fear but hope: “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Theme: “Lifted up, he draws all to himself.”
Today the Church lifts up the Holy Cross and the season of Sleebo, the last season of the liturgical year, begins. The instrument of death has become the tree of life and the sign of the Son of Man.
“And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live.” So Moses made a serpent of bronze, and put it upon a pole; and whenever a serpent bit someone, that person would look at the serpent of bronze and live.” Numbers 21:8–9
“And just 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.” John 3:14–15
Apply: Spend five minutes this week simply looking at a crucifix in silent prayer.
“But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, crossing his hands, for Manasseh was the firstborn.” Genesis 48:14
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”” Galatians 3:13
Apply: Make the sign of the cross slowly and reverently each morning and evening.
“But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”” 1 Samuel 17:45
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28
Apply: Face one fear this week in the name of the Lord, holding the cross.
The Cross is our hope, our weapon and our glory.
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.
Take-home resolution: Venerate the Cross at home as a family and bless your children with the sign of the cross.
Dear brothers and sisters, today we lift up the Cross. For the Romans the cross was a sign of shame and the worst death. For us it is the sign of love and victory. According to tradition St Helena found the Cross in Jerusalem, and on this day it was raised before the people, who cried out: Lord have mercy.
In the desert, when serpents bit the people, God told Moses to set a bronze serpent on a pole; whoever looked at it lived. Jesus said: so must the Son of Man be lifted up. When we look at the crucified Christ with faith, we are healed of the poison of sin. St Paul says: Christ became a curse for us, to free us from the curse. He took our place.
The Fathers saw the Cross in many places of the Old Testament: in the crossed hands of Jacob blessing his grandsons, in the boy David going against Goliath with no sword but “in the name of the Lord.” The Cross looks weak, but it is God's power. Our ancestors in Kerala carved the Cross without the body, rising from a lotus, with the dove above: the Cross of glory.
Today begins the season of Sleebo, the last season of our year. Jesus speaks of signs in the sky and of his coming in glory. The Fathers say the sign of the Son of Man is the Cross. For those who love him, that day is not a terror: “stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Let us make the sign of the Cross with love today, and carry our crosses with him. Amen.
Children, today we celebrate the Holy Cross! Jesus died on the Cross because he loves us so much.
Long ago, when snakes bit people, God told Moses to lift up a bronze snake. Whoever looked at it was healed! Jesus on the Cross heals us too.
Let's make the sign of the Cross slowly: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Lord Jesus Christ, you were lifted up on the Cross to draw all people to yourself. Heal us of the poison of sin as we look to you; make us bless others with the sign of your Cross; and when your sign appears in heaven, let us raise our heads with joy, for our redemption is near. Amen.