PM: Special Edition--Feast Of The Exaltation Of The Holy Cross

While doing this series during the 2016 liturgical year, I knew I would inadvertently omit some major feasts. This is one of them. (I'm sure there are more.) Time to continue to correct those omissions.

We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.

V. May God have mercy on us and bless us; may he cause his face to shine upon us and may he have mercy on us

Gal. 6:14.; V. Ps. 66:2

This is also the Introit for the Mass of The Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday. The Cross has brought us all into everlasting light and eternal life. Note how the verse hearkens back to Numbers 6:24-26.

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even death on a Cross

V. Therefore God has highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.

Phil. 2:8; V. 9

This is also the Gradual for Palm (Passion) Sunday. By His obedience in being brought low by being raise on the Cross and therefore exalting Himself, so are we now raised to the position of adopted children of God.

O precious wood, O precious nails, gently bearing so precious a burden; you alone were worthy to carry the King of heaven, the Lord.

Does the Alleluia verse not invoke the veneration of the Cross during the Good Friday liturgy? Or even recall the words repeated during the Stations of the Cross? "We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you; because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world."

Protect your people, O Lord, by the sign of the holy cross, form the attack of all enemies; so that our service may be agreeable unto you and our sacrifice acceptable, alleluia.

And how quickly a variation of this verse will be heard. Just before the Prayer over the Offerings, the congregation responds to the priest's exhortation that the sacrifice being offered be worthy. "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church."

By the sign of the cross, deliver us from our enemies, O Lord our God.

In hoc signo crucis vinces. "But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal. 6:14) "Behold the wood of the Cross upon which hung the Saviour of the world; come, let us worship"