The Nazareth Page- A gospel meditation for your home

September 14, 2025 – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross - John 3:13-17

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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We are living at a time when we earthlings know more about the incredible universe in which we live than ever before. Through in the incredible “eyes” of the James Webb Space Telescope, we now have identified literally billions of galaxies and stars who, most likely,  have planets encircling them.

The next question for scientific research concerns extraterrestrial life, even intelligent life like our own. If that is discovered, it will be one of the greatest scientific discoveries ever! Still, so many scientific questions about creation remain, the most trying ones directly relate to us. Especially, we are asking, “Are we alone?”

A most important religious question focuses on the Creator of the universe and the relationship of the Creator to us. Creating such wonders, we wonder is God in any way personal? Is God connected to us in a positive way? And do we have a future with God after we die?

Which brings us to today’s feast and gospel. This Sunday is one of those rare church calendar twists when a feast day replaces the usual Sunday. Today we are invited to think about the cross on which Jesus died. And why.

The basic answers is found in one of the most important verses in the New Testament. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone believes in him might have eternal life.”

Therefore, God is not only with us, but also for us. In fact, God loves us. God not only created the universe, but desesigned it to bring forth human life as a gift to you and me. Certainly, many questions remain, but the most basic question of all is answered in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. As is often proclaimed, this was all accomplished for us and our salvation.

The cross on which Jesus died remains the basic symbol of our faith. For the Romans it was a symbol of pain, suffering and defeat. For us it is a symbol of God’s self-giving and profound love for all.  There remain many questions we might have connected with Christ’s death and resurrection. But one truth remains: We exist because we are loved by God.

David M. Thomas, PhD