The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

    Sunday, September 11, 2022 (Actual Date is September 14, 2022)

First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm #78  R Do not forget the works of the Lord
Second Reading: Philippians: 2:6-11 
Acclamation V: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your cross you have redeemed the world.
Gospel: John 3:13-17
Theme:  Parish Feast Day - The Cross reveals Gods’ love for us, his beloved - Jesus is our life jacket

Our readings this weekend will reflect our parish feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
(usually September 14th). Remember to wear your traditional garb or the colour red.

Commentary by Jane Prini  

Many people enjoy boating, fishing, sailing, and canoeing. Whether on lakes, rivers, or an ocean, it’s important to have a flotation device. A flotation device can be a life jacket or what some people call a lifesaver. It is necessary even for good swimmers to wear one because if there is an accident, that flotation device could save their life.

I heard a story once of a group that went fishing on a big lake. Everyone put on their life jackets and were eager to begin…well except for one man, who insisted he didn’t need one. Wouldn’t you know, while on the lake, they were surprised by a big storm. It got really windy. The waves become really high, so high that they tipped the boat over! Those who were wearing their life jackets made it safely to shore, but the man who didn’t wear his life jacket drowned. That man could have been saved had he made the choice to wear his life jacket. 

This story reminds me of our Gospel reading today. It says "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus is our life jacket. God sent Him to earth to save us. Through His death and resurrection, we can be forgiven and have eternal life with God. All we have to do is believe and accept Jesus as our saviour. We’ll still face storms, but when we do, we’ll have our life jacket--Jesus is our lifesaver.
It’s foolish to go out onto the water without a life jacket, but it’s even more foolish to try to sail the sea of life without Jesus!  We accept Jesus as our saviour when we take time every day to listen to what God is saying to us in the daily scripture readings, when we to talk to him about what is on our heart, and when we serve others in his name. 

May we live in a way that shows we are thankful, believing we are so loved by God that he died such a painful death for us, so we could be forgiven and have a special friendship with Him. 

Discussion starters: (Choose one or more of these after reading today’s scripture readings)

1. Have you ever been boating, sailing or canoeing? Did you wear a flotation device? Where were you boating to? How long did it take you? Did your flotation device save you from any danger?
2. Use one of the family activities on the following page as you discuss ways to keep Jesus always with you. How can you keep Jesus at the centre of your life? (daily scripture reading, family/personal prayer time, attending Mass, fellowship, serving your community and parish…)

Prayer for Families: 

Dear God, I know you sent Jesus to die on the cross to save us, to save me. I pray that every one will take hold of the one thing that can save—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. I ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. AMEN.   

CLICK, READ MORE FOR FAMILY RESOURCES, Colouring Page, Cross Word Puzzle and Word Search
 

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