Yesterday we celebrated the gift of Christ himself in the Eucharist, given us in love and gentleness. Today we look upon another giving, a total and absolute giving of all that made Jesus human, a giving that took him to an agonizing death on a cross.

Our focus today should not be on the crucifixion, but rather, on the cross, itself, for it is the cross, which assures us of victory and salvation.

Humanity inherited death because of the sin of Adam, but it is through Jesus’ sacrifice of himself on the cross for us, that we have become the family of God, his adopted sons and daughters.

Even before we heard the passion narrative today, the other readings spoke of ultimate victory. For example, in the 1^st reading from Isaiah, we heard, "…though wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities …he shall see the light…shall make many righteous…shall divide the spoils with the strong." And in the responsorial psalm we heard the confident words, "Into your hands I commend my spirit." And finally, in the 2^nd reading we hear that Jesus is the "great High Priest," a Son who "learned obedience through what he suffered;" and "because of him we can approach the throne of Grace with boldness," confidant that we shall "receive mercy and find grace" in our time of need.

The cross brings us face to face with Jesus’ suffering. He was alone – all his disciples had abandoned him except for his mother and three women along with John, the beloved disciple. His death on the cross was agonizing and humiliating. Normally a crucified man could last for several days, but Jesus had already been scourged, beaten with rods, and a crown of thorns pressed into his skull. It is no wonder that he died at mid-afternoon.

Pilate publicly declared Jesus "The King of the Jews." Jesus was crucified for his claim to be King. But the Jews had understood that the Messiah would come as king to establish God’s reign for them. They wanted a king who would free them from tyranny and foreign domination. Many of them had high hopes that Jesus was the Messianic King. However, little did they understand what kind of kingship Jesus claimed to have. Jesus came to conquer hearts and souls for the eternal and everlasting kingdom, rather than to conquer lands and claim and establish earthly power and privilege.

We can find no greater proof of God’s love for us than the willing sacrifice of His only Son on the cross. Christ’s giving of himself in sacrifice was not a half-hearted one. It was total and complete; it was done willingly, in full knowledge, in selfless love and in absolute freedom. As scripture says, he could have called on 12 legions of angels to save him. Instead, he chose to let events take him to the crucifixion. In that free choice, no one took his life from him, rather, he gave it for the world’s healing. Jesus’ last words, "It is finished," truly express triumph, rather than, defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit, knowing that the strife was now over and the battle won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory.

In the cross of Christ we see the triumph of Jesus over his enemies of sin, Satan, and death. St. Paul the Apostle said, "But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." And again, "A few drops of blood renew the whole world!"

In the 12^th century, Abbot Rupert of Deutz wrote, "The cross of Christ is the door to heaven, the key to paradise, the downfall of the devil, the uplifting of mankind, the consolation of our imprisonment, the prize of our freedom." And it is also the sign of God’s mercy and the proof of forgiveness of sins. By his cross Jesus has redeemed our sins and atoned for our punishment. The way to peace, joy and righteousness, in the kingdom of God, and the way to victory over sin, despair, and death, is through the cross of Jesus Christ.