Today as he does most Sundays, Pope Francis appeared at his papal apartment window to pray and bless the thousands of people who gathered below him in St. Peter’s square.
It was 4 am when I watched a live feed of his mid-day Angelus greeting and prayer. For a seventy-seven year old Francis appears remarkably vigorous and happy.
Francis spoke of today’s feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and reminded us that the cross of Our Lord is a saving instrument of salvation. While He hung on the cross, bystanders taunted Him: “If you are the Son of God come down from that cross!” Francis said rather than come down from the cross, Our Lord ascended from it. His resurrection occurred from the bed of the cross.
Each of us have a cross, some of us, crosses. He asks us to carry our cross as a light and easy burden. With His grace we can and do resurrect from the sins that attempt to pull us down.
We are exalted today by the love of Christ and His saving help.