Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Grumbling and complaining are often common reactions to life's frustrations. We grumble about the weather, the economy, politics, church leadership, and traffic. Grumbling is a way of life for many of us.
Everyone experiences moments when it is tempting to grumble or complain. Whether it's about work, family, health, or day-to-day inconveniences, these feelings are part of the human experience.
In the Old Testaments reading this weekend we find the Hebrew people grumbling against the Lord as they wander in the desert. God had freed them from their slavery in Egypt, provided them protection from Pharaoh and led them through the Red Sea, yet the people still grumble against God.
We have all been blessed by God’s goodness, but we can also begin to grumble in challenging moments of our lives. But this is when we need to cling to faith.
After serpents appeared and began to bite those who had grumbled against God, those who had been bitten only had to look at the serpent mounted on a pole and put their faith in God once again to be healed.
When we find ourselves in the trials of life, we need to look at the cross of Jesus with faith. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” Amid the storms of our lives, we are called to put our trust in his cross, for through it we are saved and set free.
Paul tells us that God the Father “greatly exalted” Jesus for his humility in embracing the cross, and that ultimately, all creation will join the Father in glorifying Jesus. Jesus gave us an incredible gift when He suffered for us on the cross. It is because of this amazing gift that we are called to praise him heart, mind, voice, and by our life.
The best antidote for complaining is gratitude. Despite the trials of life we each face there are many, many things for which we should be grateful. First and foremost we know of the great love God has for each one of us, and the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the Holy Cross.
But then look around, if the weather is unpleasant, we have comfortable homes. If the traffic is bad, what a blessing it is to have transportation. Even when divisive politics overwhelm us, what a blessing it is to live in this country and enjoy our freedom.
When we are tempted to complain, stop for a moment to thank and praise God for the gift of the cross and our salvation in Christ. A great prayer to use is one that is used during the stations of the cross in Lent: “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. Because, by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.”
Deacon Michael Braun