The cross is for imitation, not decoration.

Here are four crosses that mean a lot to me and remind me of God’s immense love.

In the fourth century, Saint Helena found the True Cross in Jerusalem and since then it has been venerated, slithers of the wood have been distributed throughout the world for public veneration. September 14 is the anniversary of the dedication of the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. I have been to the Basilica, and the weight of God’s loving presence is felt by the many pilgrims who come to venerate the very place where Christ offered his life, was buried, and rose on Easter Day.

What relevance can we elicit on this feast day of the Exaltation of the Cross? The cross is for imitation. The Cross of Jesus reminds us of our Savior’s love for us; his hour never passes and pervades our whole lives. The Cross of Christ calls us to live in the love of Jesus.

When we gaze upon the crucifix, we are called to serve the poor, to find Christ in suffering, and to listen to his voice in the student who needs our attention, the irritating co-worker, and the grieving friend.

Do you have a crucifix in your home that you can gaze upon regularly? Does it hold special significance for you? Most importantly, is your life marked by the cross of Jesus?

Beyond the crucifix on our wall, do we notice the cross traced on our bodies countless times throughout the day? Our lives are grafted in the cross; we make the Sign of the Cross to begin a prayer, whenever we are afraid, or begin a new task. Father Ron Raab, CSC, once said:

The gift of the Cross is pure gift to us and the source of our liberation. Our fears give way to the promise of Christ Jesus. The Cross is our only hope.

Jesus gave the command that those who wished to follow him must take up the cross and imitate his love. In his Cross, we find the compass of life, the medicine of every spiritual sickness, and the love that forever redirects our life toward a new horizon.