Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross — How Should Christians Respond?

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 14, 2025) This weekend, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Cross, once a sign of suffering and death, has become for us the ultimate sign of hope: the place where God's love conquered sin and death.

In light of recent tragedies, including the heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, how are we as Christians called to respond?

• With prayer — not as a last resort, but as a powerful act that lifts the suffering to God.

• Through the sacraments — especially the Eucharist and confession, where Christ's grace enters our broken world.

• By intentional relationships — reaching out, befriending, and witnessing God's love to those who may feel unseen.

• With courage as disciples — stepping out of our comfort zones to share the Gospel, even if it feels uncomfortable or seems to make only a small difference.

The Cross reminds us that love is stronger than death, and Christ is stronger than violence. Even if it feels like there's just a 1% chance that our words or actions could help someone turn back to God, that 1% is worth it — because eternity is at stake.

So we lift high the Cross: proclaiming the love of Christ, living as disciples with conviction, and trusting that God can transform even tragedy into hope.