Readings and Reflections for Monday 14 September 2020 

Holy Cross Day

On this day, otherwise known as the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Church remembers how Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, is said to have discovered the true wood of the cross buried near the hill of Calvary.  At this distance in time it is impossible to pronounce upon the truth of this incident.  It was on the 14 September of the year 337 that the great Church of the Holy Sepulchre built by Constantine in Jerusalem was dedicated.

Saints and Seasons (ACSA)

 The Collect :

Eternal Lord

You revealed your love

when your Son was lifted up

in splendour on the cross:

illuminate our world

and draw us out of darkness

into his glorious light;

who reigns supreme with you and the Holy Spirit

one God now and forever.  

Amen

1 Corinthians 11 : 17 – 33           Psalm 33 : 1 – 12         Luke 7 : 31 – 35

The Luke Gospel is not the usual scenario of Jesus calling men and women to leave home and family to follow him.  In this passage we find “house” mentioned twice.  According to scripture scholars, house or home is mentioned in scripture more often than either temple or church.

In this passage the Centurion is credited by Jesus for his loyalty, concern and care of his slave “who is ill and close to death.”  The Centurion does not leave his dying servant, not even to go to Jesus to ask healing for his servant. “The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him” (verse 13).  Jesus is amazed at the faith of the Centurion who recognizes that his calling is to family, to his extended household and to his slave.  The Centurion speaks to Jesus of his understanding of loyalty and dependability.  He is a man responsible for his household.

So often we focus on the call of Jesus to follow him out into the wilderness.  The gospels often seem to encourage us to be prepared for the suffering which may follow as a consequence of discipleship.  This passage offers hope, peace and joy to those of us who are living out the daily calling of family care and household responsibilities.  We are called to the tasks of family life:  birth, sick children, PTA meetings, school activities, unemployment, financial concerns, elderly parents, death, and the endless challenges of daily life.  We are called not to wander away without looking back, but rather to be dependable, loyal, and loving to our families and hospitable to those who come into our homes.  We are called to recognize and involve ourselves in the sacredness of home and family.

I think Luke is reminding us that it is through our families, through our intimate relationships within our families that we encounter Jesus.  We may not be called to wander in the desert, spending extended periods in prayer and solitude, as did the desert fathers.  Each of us is called to prayer and solitude; our sacredness is found in the outside play with our small children, in the light-hearted banter of our sons, in the “chick chat” with our daughters, in the reminiscing and celebration of life with our parents, and the pillow talk with our spouses.  The spirituality of family is not less sacred than any other form of discipleship.

We Pray for our Homes :