For God so loved the world...

I looked at your cross, O Christ, and there read the song of your love. ~ St John of the Cross

Until a year ago, I lived in the upstairs flat of a house which had a staircase facing the front door, with a ledge halfway up the stairs. And on here, looking down at the door, and visible to any visitors, I placed two images: the logo of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and the San Clemente tree of life crucifix. Here were the source and summit of unlimited Love, whether visitors recognised or expected this or not.

And then last September, I moved to a house without a ledge - but there was a nail on a wall, visible from the door. The ideal place for the crucifix, and, below it, the rhoicussus which has lived and moved house with me for many years; a live, green complement to the tree of life above. This morning I read today's Gospel, for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, while standing before it... Read Jesus' words So must the Son of Man be lifted up... Lifted up; arms outstretched, encompassing the world's weakness and wounds, as we too are called to do... And then those precious words, so full of reassurance and hope, and Love's eternal promise... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him... 

Today we look upon the Cross, instrument of torture and death, and we are assured of eternal life, salvation and God's overflowing love! Assured that God so loved the world, so loved each one of us, that he gave us Jesus, to be our redemption, our healing and our enduring hope... 

What assurance and call do today's feast, and the Cross of Jesus hold for you?