This Sunday we commemorate the Third Sunday of Great Lent, the Veneration of the Cross. On this Sunday the Holy Cross is placed before us in the center of the Church for our spiritual refreshment and support, but also in remembrance of the passion of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and especially for encouragement.
We have already traveled through half of Great Lent and have held to our religious discipline and fasting regimen but this Sunday of Mid-Lent allows us the moment for rejuvenating our spiritual strength to continue our journey to Pascha.
The Cross of Christ is such a gift, yet the gift of the Cross cannot be received without also accepting the way of the Cross as the way of Jesus Christ. We must remember that Christ died for us! “God bought us for a price” What was the price…it was not silver and gold rather it was the costly sacrifice of Christ.
There is nothing for us to do to receive the benefits which flow from the Cross, all that is necessary is to simply receive the gift by faith. This is the evangelismos or good news which serves as our joy and gladness.
Thus seeing the precious Cross set before us, let us venerate it and rejoice in faith, greeting the Lord who by his own free choice was crucified upon it!
