EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS  Lectionary #638
Historically, this feast celebrates the finding of the “true cross” of Jesus by Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, in Jerusalem in 326. It also celebrates the return of the major part of that cross to Jerusalem in 629 by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, after it had been stolen by Chroses II, King of Persia, in 614. More than history, though, this feast celebrates the same mystery that we celebrate on Good Friday: In God’s hand, and by God’s design, even a cruel instrument of torture can become a source of life.

Numbers 21:4b–9. The bronze serpent that brought healing from snakebite to the people in the desert is an appropriate symbol of the cross of Jesus, as it is understood by Christians.

Psalm of the Day: Ps (77) 78
This historical psalm traces God’s dealings with Israel from the exodus to the early monarchy. In its interpretation of that history, the people’s sin is followed by divine punishment, which is followed in turn by national repentance, which is followed by God’s forgiveness and restoration.

Do Not Forget the Works (Batastini/Murray) CBW 224
Do Not Forget the Works (Batastini/Proulx) WOR 1050/RS 104
Do Not Forget the Works (Burns) WC B347
Do Not Forget the Works (Smith) WC B345
No Olviden las Acciones del Señor (Cortez)  FYC 221

Philippians 2:6–11. The “kenosis” (“emptying”) hymn sings of Jesus’ self-giving for our salvation.

John 3:13–17. In conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus makes the connection between the “lifting up” of the Son of Man (on the cross) and the bronze serpents in the desert. Jesus’ mission is interpreted as one of salvation rather than condemnation.

Songs for the Liturgy

Adoramus (2,G) MI‑BB
Adoramus Te, Christe (2,G) G 221/GC 396/GC2 400/RS 542
Adoramus Te, Domine (2,G) WOR 548
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (2) WOR 494, 495/RS 632/GC 484/GC2 490/WC 701/JS 482/MI‑BB/CH 521/LMGM 88, 89/GP 6
All People Here Who Remember (G) G 314
*At the Name of Jesus (2) WOR 499/CBW 427/JS 400, 483/CH 538/MI‑BB
Calvary (G) LMGM 38/G 172/RS 568/GC 419
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (G) WOR 617/GC 662/RS 778/CBW 430/WC 746/JS 780/MI‑BB
Crucem Tuam/O Lord, Your Cross (2,G) RS 571/GC 417/GC2 393
Down at the Cross (G) LMGM 46
I Danced in the Morning (G) WOR 636/G 297/MI‑BB/RS 809/GC 708/GC2 689/WC 717/JS 764
*I Will Sing, I Will Sing, vss 5‑6 (2) G 213/GC 543/GC2 79
In the Cross of Christ (2) RS 221/CH 249
Jesus Died upon the Cross (2) JS 654/MI‑BB
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (G) LMGM 45
*Jesus, Lord (G) JS 692/CBW 365/MI‑BB
*Jesus the Lord (2) G 253/RS 574/GC 418/GC2 403/CBW 432/JS 484/MI‑BB/GP 124
Keep in Mind (G) WC 473/MI‑BB/RS 940/GC 674//GC2 658/JS 589/WC 222, 802
Lift High the Cross (1,G) WOR 704/CH 542/CBW 435/GP 141/MI‑BB/WC 748/RS 884/GC 791/GC2 785/JS 522
Lord Christ, When First You Came (1,G) WOR 438/CH 617  
My Song Is Love Unknown (G) WOR 439/RS 572/JS 415/MI‑BB/CH 258
Now Go Forward (1,G) GC 691
Now We Remain (G) G 299/WC 640/MI‑BB/RS 813/GC 694/GC2 696
O Cross of Christ (G) CBW 368/CH 254
Only This I Want (G) GP 183/GC 695/GC2 701/js 766/CBW 516/MI‑BB
Priestly People/Pueblo de Reyes, vss 8‑9 (1,G) WC 740
Sing, My Tongue, the Savior's Glory (1,G) JS 414/BB
Sing, My Tongue, the Song of Triumph (1,G) WOR 437/RS 573/CBW 69
Take Up Your Cross (G) WOR 634/CH 651/CBW 353/LMGM 50/BB 118/RS 808/GC 698/GC2 688, 690/WC 750/JS 524
The Lord Is Now Exalted (1,2,G) CBW 377
The Lord Jesus Christ (G) CBW 436
The Love of the Lord (G) G 295/RS 814/GC 702/GC2 680
*Though in the Form of God (2) CBW 687
Tree of Life (G) G 163/RS 541/GC 397/GC2 401/CBW 373
We Acclaim the Cross of Jesus (1,G) WC 754
We Have No Glory (G) JS 671
Weary of All Trumpeting (G) WOR 635
What Wondrous Love Is This (G) WOR 600/CH 530/GP 263/RS 749/GC 627/GC2 614/WC 713/JS 755/MI‑BB
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (2,G) WOR 433/CH 263/CBW 382/WC 753/BB/JS 417
Wherever He Leads, I'll Go (G) LMGM 50/RS 810