September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm
Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting
In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an instrument of execution called “The Exaltation of the Cross.” The Romans adopted this very torturous form of execution from the Chinese. The Chinese reserved it for the worst criminals.
How does God take something so evil and cruel and transform it into the central symbol of our Catholic Faith and the sign of our salvation? I enjoy the story Brennan Manning shared in his book, The Signature of Jesus.
“While meditating under a big tree on the bank of a river, an old man saw a scorpion floating helplessly on the river. The man quickly stretched himself out on one of the tree’s long roots, reaching out to rescue the drowning creature.
“As soon as he touched it, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively, the man pulled away. But as soon as he regained his balance, he stretched out again to save the scorpion. Again, he was stung for his efforts so severely that his hand swelled up most painfully.
‘’A passerby who had seen all that had happened called out, “Only a fool would risk his life for the sake of such a creature.” Calmly, the man replied, “My friend, just because it is the scorpion’s nature to sting, that does not change my nature to save.”
There’s no getting around the fact that Jesus did not want to do this. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane to let the cup of suffering pass him by. Only a free, pure act of sacrificial love stops evil and sin in its tracks.
Like the scorpion, the nature of sin and evil is to destroy. The nature of Jesus is to save and give life to those who sin. Until we accept his perfect love for us and turn away from our sins, there is no Exaltation of the Cross. Let us not fear the sting we might feel when confronting the truth of our sinfulness. It’s only a small cross of suffering compared to what Jesus bore for us. May our crosses of death become trees of life and a source of salvation for many.
Gospel Challenge:
Being a disciple of Jesus is all grace; there is only one way to receive it: by being with the Lord every day. Spend meaningful time with Him. Only God can transform our hearts and what they value.
Love One Another!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
frrick@bscchurch.com
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2025, John 3:13-17
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm
Don’t Be Afraid of the Sting
In every Catholic Church and Chapel around the world, we celebrate today an instrument of execution called “The Exaltation of the Cross.” The Romans adopted this very torturous form of execution from the Chinese. The Chinese reserved it for the worst criminals.
How does God take something so evil and cruel and transform it into the central symbol of our Catholic Faith and the sign of our salvation? I enjoy the story Brennan Manning shared in his book, The Signature of Jesus.
“While meditating under a big tree on the bank of a river, an old man saw a scorpion floating helplessly on the river. The man quickly stretched himself out on one of the tree’s long roots, reaching out to rescue the drowning creature.
“As soon as he touched it, the scorpion stung him. Instinctively, the man pulled away. But as soon as he regained his balance, he stretched out again to save the scorpion. Again, he was stung for his efforts so severely that his hand swelled up most painfully.
‘’A passerby who had seen all that had happened called out, “Only a fool would risk his life for the sake of such a creature.” Calmly, the man replied, “My friend, just because it is the scorpion’s nature to sting, that does not change my nature to save.”
There’s no getting around the fact that Jesus did not want to do this. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane to let the cup of suffering pass him by. Only a free, pure act of sacrificial love stops evil and sin in its tracks.
Like the scorpion, the nature of sin and evil is to destroy. The nature of Jesus is to save and give life to those who sin. Until we accept his perfect love for us and turn away from our sins, there is no Exaltation of the Cross. Let us not fear the sting we might feel when confronting the truth of our sinfulness. It’s only a small cross of suffering compared to what Jesus bore for us. May our crosses of death become trees of life and a source of salvation for many.
Gospel Challenge:
Being a disciple of Jesus is all grace; there is only one way to receive it: by being with the Lord every day. Spend meaningful time with Him. Only God can transform our hearts and what they value.
Love One Another!
Father Rick Pilger, I.C.
frrick@bscchurch.com
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