The Way to the Cross The Feast of the Cross

St Cyril of Jerusalem  Every action of Christ glorifies the Church, but the cross is the glory above all glory… The glory of the cross, by contrast, has enlightened all those who were blinded by ignorance. It has set free all those who were slaves of sin. It has redeemed the whole human race. Let us glory in the cross of the Savior...

1. Obedient sheep  23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” jn 10:23- 30

(St. John Saba) The consummation of commandments is the cross; namely, forgetting and forsaking worldly lusts; together with a yearning and desire for departure, saying with St. Paul: “For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better” (Philipp. 1:23)

2. Fed from Heaven  35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

( St. John Chrysostom) Up till now, Christ who set the table, is sanctifying it Himself; No man changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, but Christ Himself who was crucified for us. The priest utters the words, but the, sanctification (the Epiclesis) occurs through the power of God, and His grace; through His words, ‘This is My body, and this is My blood’, they are sanctified.

3. Gave up everything for His Sake  25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14

The Change  8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19

(St. Ephram the Syrian)  Glory to you, You who set Your cross a bridge over death, for souls to cross from the dwelling of death to that of life.