Episode Details

Today, we celebrate the feast of Jesus the Nazarene in the Philippines. It is based on the devotion to the Lord crucified on the cross. On the cross was posted the crime of the criminal crucified. In Jesus' case, it was "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Hence, today the mass to be celebrated is that of September 14, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. We look up to the cross very much, not because we ponder on the amount of suffering it meant to the condemned. Far from it, although that is presupposed. We look up to the cross because it is where Jesus wrought our salvation. We do admire heroes for giving up their lives for the sake of a love, like love of country or nation. However, nobody would like to suffer as that person suffered. With the cross of Jesus, it is entirely different. Many have wanted to undergo the same path, that of suffering to prove one's love. The cross is by which we were saved. And we will get to Heaven through the cross in some way or another. All the saints loved Jesus in a manner that always included the path to Calvary. It is not inspite of the cross, but by the cross that we are to reach heaven. Jesus hallowed it. Jesus converted this harrowing symbol of a slow death into the way to salvation. By the wood of the cross, we acquire many virtues. In fact, they say that there is no virtue that is not exemplified there. We attain so many gifts via this path. Hence, we ask for the grace from God to have the faith, hope and love for the cross today.