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 this 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) PRM B115
Do Not Forget the Works (Guimont) GC2 946
Non 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 Te, Christe (2,G) RS 542/GC 396/GC2 400
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/LMGM 88,89/GP 421/WS
*At the Name of Jesus (2) WOR 499/CBW 427/JS 400, 483/MI-BB/GP 424
Behold the Cross (1,2) BB
Behold the Wood (1,C) JS 407, 411/BB/GC2 437/GP 369/CBW 379
By Your Cross (2) BB/GP 346
Calvary (G) LMGM 38/RS 568/GC 419
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation (G) WOR 617/GC 662/GC2 642/RS 778/CBW 430/WC 746/JS 780/MI-BB
Crucem Tuam/O Lord, Your Cross (2,G) RS 571/GC 417/GC2 393
Crux Fidelis (2,G) WC 751/WS
Down at the Cross (G) LMGM 46
*Glory in the Cross (E) JS 523/MI-BB
*God So Loved the World (G) WC 803/WS
I Danced in the Morning (G) WOR 636/MI-BB/RS 809/GC 708/GC2 689/WC 717/JS 764/WS/GP 395
*I Will Sing, I Will Sing, vss 5-6 (2) GC 543/GC2 79
In the Cross of Christ (2) RS 221
Jesus Died upon the Cross (2) JS 654/MI-BB/GP 720
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross (G) LMGM 45
*Jesus, Lord (G) JS 701/CBW 365/MI-BB/GP 594
*Jesus the Lord (2) RS 574/GC 418/GC2 403/CBW 432/JS 484/MI-BB/GP 370
Keep in Mind (G) WC 222, 802/MI-BB/RS 940/GC 674/GC2 658/JS 589/WS/GP 492
Lift High the Cross (1,G) WOR 704/CBW 435/GP 444/MI-BB/WC 748/RS 884/GC 791/GC2 785/JS 522/WS
Lord Christ, When First You Came (1,G) WOR 438
*Make Us One, v 3 (2) WC 765
My Song Is Love Unknown (G) WOR 439/RS 572/JS 415
No Longer I (2,G) MI-BB
Now Go Forward (1,G) GC 691
Now We Remain (G) WC 370/MI-BB/RS 813/GC 694/GC2 696/WS
O Cross of Christ (G) CBW 368/WC 752
Only This I Want (G) GP 575/GC 695/GC2 701/JS 766/CBW 516/MI-BB
Priestly People/Pueblo de Reyes, vss 8-9 (1,G) WC 740/WS
Sing, My Tongue, the Savior's Glory (1,G) JS 414/BB/GP 366
Sing, My Tongue, the Song of Triumph (1,G) WOR 437/RS 573/CBW 69
Take Up Your Cross (2,G) WOR 634/CBW 353/LMGM 50/MI-BB/RS 808/GC 698/GC2 688, 690/WC 750/JS 524/WS/GP 586
The Lord Is Now Exalted (1,2,G) CBW 377
The Lord Jesus Christ (G) CBW 436
The Love of the Lord (G) RS 814/GC 702/GC2 680
*Though in the Form of God (2) CBW 687
Tree of Life (G) RS 541/GC 397/CBW 373
We Acclaim the Cross of Jesus (1,G) WC 754/WS
We Have No Glory (G) JS 671/MI-BB
*We Should Glory in the Cross B Janco (E) GIA
*We Should Glory in the Cross B Manalo (E) JS 521/MI-BB
Weary of All Trumpeting (G) WOR 635
What Wondrous Love Is This (G) WOR 600/GP 642/RS 749/GC 627/GC2 614/WC 713/JS 755/MI-BB/WS
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (2,G) WOR 433/CBW 382/WC 753/BB/JS 417
Wherever He Leads, I'll Go (G) LMGM 50/RS 810