Saturday after the Exaltation of the Cross. Holy Apostle Codratus of Magnesia (249-52).
1 Corinthians 1:26-29. John 8:21-30.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
It’s a good thing in society to see the cross displayed prominently and often. However, one danger that can arise from this is that we become so accustomed to seeing the cross that we forget what it really means. Dying naked, humiliated and in agony on the cross was the seen as the greatest failure possible in the Roman Empire. It was such an awful way to die that the cross was not used in popular Christian catacomb drawings until the cross itself stopped being used by the Romans to kill people!
As we begin the liturgical year, we begin with our ultimate understanding that we are weak and inadequate. In fact, when we admit to our limitations and failures, we join ourselves to the God-Man who took on the ultimate failure and powerlessness and transformed it into life and glory. When we are tempted to rely on, or boast of, our own strengths or abilities we see the cross before us and remember our true power and strength lies in always relying on Christ and what He has done and is willing to do with our humble ‘yes’ to Him.