9.15.2017

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross


The following homily was preached by Deacon Donald Massoud on Sunday, September 10 at St. Anthony of the Desert Maronite Church in Fall River, MA.

St. Paul tells us that the Cross is foolishness and a stumbling block to some, but to us who believe it is the sign of salvation (cf. 1 Cor 1: 18 – 15). It is beyond the logic of some who consider their wisdom and knowledge equal to God to understand that Christ had to die for our sins in order to provide us with the hope of salvation.

In today’s Gospel (Jn 12: 20 -32), Jesus says, “whoever loves his life will lose it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternity”. He goes on to say, Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.

The phrase to “to lose one’s life” means to die; so Christ is calling us to come and die. He is not calling us to improve our earthly lives in comfort and wealth, but to let go of everything and discover authentic life – life in Christ Jesus.

The death to which we are called may not be the death of our bodies but the death of our old selves and coming alive into Christ’s way of living. It may be the death of our ways of thinking and wanting that do not reflect the life of Christ. In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern the will of God” (cf Rom 12:2).

The struggle between seeing life through the eyes of the world and seeing it through the eyes of Christ is not easy. Jesus’ vision often seems peculiar, while the world’s makes sense. “Be all that you can be!” “Live life to the fullest!” “Enjoy the good life!”

Many of us long to have good things in life, knowing full well that they can neither satisfy nor really give life in all its fullness. Christ calls us to stay with the struggle and trust that true life comes from Him. The world’s vision is captured in words like: buy, shop, have, eat, acquire, accumulate, consume. But Jesus asks, What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? (Mt 16: 26).

We are watching the terrible devastation in Florida. The governor was begging the people to obey the direction to evacuate. He told them, “we can help you restore your houses, but we cannot restore your lives”. The horror and sadness of those people who have lost not only all their material goods but also those of sentimental value has been very difficult to watch.

However, transformed into the mind of Christ, those words of acquisition are replaced by words like, “offer, serve, feed, and give”. Those who want to save their lives will lose it. Christ promises, “and those who lose their lives for My sake will find it”. Life is found in giving and serving because these actions best reflect God’s image in our lives.

This runs against the voices that want us to acquire, to hold on to, voices that are sometimes so overwhelming that they are hard to ignore. This was demonstrated clearly in the hurricane reporting. After watching cars jammed up on highways or waiting in line for gasoline and people huddled in shelters, we have a commercial telling us which car to buy, where to go on our next cruise, and how to stay well groomed and well dressed.


Christ’s invitation to us is for us to let go of our need to get, buy, keep, and accumulate and embrace the desire to give, feed and serve. It is also His promise to us for eternal life.