3 ways to discern the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

1. Let God love us

Holy Mass is where we stand next to Mother Mary and St John on Golgatha to honor the Christ’s crucifixion. God created time so zones allow for seamless Holy Mass continuations around the world 24/7. Approximately 86,000 “bloodless Calvaries” are celebrated-sequentially every day. Whether on a Jeep’s hood by an army chaplain or the pope at St Peter’s in Rome, this is our time to escape earth! No phones, demands, responsibilities, etc.--just time for love. In our evil world, who doesn’t need 1-free hour of pure Love each week?

2. Discern Christ’s Martyrdom

Why is it called the “unbloodied sacrifice of Christ on Calvary?” During the consecration of the bread, the priest acts as Jesus by repeating the Last Supper, “This is my Body,” over the host. Notice the priest doesn’t say, “this is a ‘Symbol’ of my body.”

When the priest elevates the Host, this represents Roman soldiers hefting-up Jesus’ limb-nailed cross off the dusty gravel. Using ropes, they push, swing, grunt and aim Him/the cross’ base into a pre-dug post-hole. For a brief moment, the priest holds up the host, as we imagine poor Jesus bouncing on impact, dripping with blood and sweat as his body weight pulls on his pierced hands and feet. To breathe, Jesus must step on his pierced feet to expand his ribs and diaphragm. Any words spoken require precious oxygen.

At this moment, we believe the Host is Jesus Christ’s body, demonstrated by Eucharistic miracles showing cardiac tissue, living white blood cells and AB blood type under the microscope. This blood belongs to the same person who bled on the Turin Shroud and the Manoppello Veil. To follow the science, see this article.

• Literally, magicians plagiarize Catholic liturgy when using, “Hocus Pocus” since the Latin consecration is “Hoc est enim Corpus Meum.” 

• Metaphorically, magicians turn an empty hat into one containing a rabbit, if using these words.

• If you know any magicians, please ask them to stop using this phrase.

During the consecration of wine, the priest states, “This is my Blood” over the chalice. Again, the word “symbol” is not found in the translations whether Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English etc. When the priest elevates the chalice, this is the moment Jesus bleeds out, dies and gives us His life with, “it is finished.” Depending on our seat, the angle of the chalice is directly below the main crucifix to collect the dripping blood of our hanging Savior. As the priest holds up the Holy Grail, we imagine Mother Mary and St John hugging during the lunar eclipse, the wind tugging clothes while ripping the temple veil in two, along with the earthquake scientifically explained here. Later, the Roman with the bloody lance states “Truly, this was the Son of God.”

• Hollywood invested in movies about the original Holy Grail: Monty Python, Indiana Jones, etc.

• “The Robe” starring Richard Burton portrays the Roman soldier, whose lance pierced Jesus’ heart post-mortem. In the movie, Burton searches for witnesses, asking, “were you there?”

• Why would producers devote energy and money toward these “stories” if not time-worthy?

3. Engage with an open mind.

Job interviews involve dressing with respect, rehearsing the right answers, being on time and other etiquette. At Holy Mass, we interview for our position in heaven, as “Servant of God.” Would we wear a game-day jersey to a job interview?

Catholics do read the Bible. Readings are intentionally paired and planned around the liturgical calendar: feasts, solemnities, Easter and Christmas, etc. The 1st reading comes from the Old Testament, which represents God the Father’s reign. Then we recite a psalm by David. The New Testament reading comes from the Gospel, representing God the Son’s reign. The current era is God the Holy Spirit’s reign. We are blessed to know all 3 of our Holy Trinity. However, that levels more responsibility on us to engage. If we can, we visit the Holy Land to bring alive the Bible. Pilgrimages and retreats also expand our faith, morals and belonging to God and His Word. To he who has, more will be given--but only if we say yes.

• Then, a priest schooled in Theology, applies the readings to our current life and times. Often, there are chilling coincidences or tearful moments when God speaks to us personally. These are called “Wow God” moments or consolations. Journaling of these is recommended for desolate times--as loving reminders.

• My favorite is the approach to receive the actual Body of Christ--our soul food. Jesus is our antidepressant, the Divine Healer. When He comes, He is never alone. He brings his entourage of saints, angels, the Trinity, Mother Mary, dead family members, recently deceased friends or people for whom we pray and fast, etc. Sometimes, forgotten people appear in our imaginations, asking for prayers. Everyone is celebrating the eternal wedding feast of Jesus with His Bride, the church.

• We live in this moment, between communions and keep this constant dialogue with heaven going. Between, tasks, we pick up the inner monologue from the last reception of Jesus. Only in God’s love, can we find peace.

A relationship with God is like other relationships, only better. It takes time and work to build something meaningful, but worth it. As cravings grow, daily Holy Mass and frequent Adoration offer more time to abide. Like the degrees of holiness that we can achieve, Love is infinite and never stops growing. Go to Him for the rest that our soul craves. Ask Mother Mary and St John to intercede for the grace to take the next step.

Prayer for Perseverance

O Jesus, nailed where soldiers tread, is lifted now by priests instead.
Your Body stretched and arms were spread, You’re now our Host, no longer bread.
O Savior as your spirit fled, each gasp a fight, each word a thread.
The chalice marks the hour You bled, while heaven shakes from what this said.

O Lord on slides, cardio-cells are read, touting the AB blood You shed.
The Shroud, the Veil, the Host all led; to cries of “Behold—I AM not dead!”
Help us to Mass where glory is spread, joining saints and angels overhead.
Where demons hide as Scripture’s read, where starving souls seek to be fed.

O Trinity, our home where tears are shed, with Mary, John & our faithful dead.
You call us close, strip fear & dread. And whisper to the spiritually dead:
“Child … come home to the One who never left you …”

Sources:

7 Secrets of the Holy Eucharist | Catholic365

The Earthquakes of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ | The Gospel Coalition

Lanciano Eucharistic Miracle (cardiac tissue, AB blood type) | EWTN.co.uk

The Robe | Rolex movies

St Carlo Acutis promotes the True Presence | Catholic365