The Cross Is Not a Decoration—It Is a Decision

About this sermon

The Cross of Jesus Christ is not merely jewelry, artwork or a decoration for our homes. The Cross is a decision—a daily choice to love God more than ourselves, forgive instead of retaliating, serve instead of being served and remain faithful when the world mocks Christ. In this homily for the Sunday before the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are invited to ask an honest question: Am I carrying my cross, or am I running away from it? Carrying the cross is rarely dramatic. It appears in the hidden sacrifices of ordinary life: parents surrendering comfort for their children, spouses placing one another’s needs first, students refusing to cheat and Christians enduring ridicule rather than compromising the faith. The world tells us to protect ourselves, seek comfort and accumulate more. Christ teaches the opposite: lose yourself to find yourself, give and you will receive, and die with Christ so that you may live forever. The Cross is the measure of God’s love for us. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, Christ was lifted upon the Cross to bring healing to our wounded souls. What small cross can you embrace this week—an act of forgiveness, a sacrifice, a prayer or a courageous word of truth? May we glory not in ourselves, but in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever! 00:00 Opening 00:26 Glory to Jesus Christ 00:36 Preparing for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross 00:51 What Does the Cross Mean for My Life? 01:11 When the Cross Becomes a Decoration 01:35 The Cross Is Not Jewelry or a Lucky Charm 01:47 The Cross Is a Decision 01:59 Forgive Instead of Retaliating 02:20 What the World Tells Us 02:36 Lose Yourself to Find Yourself 02:56 The Cross Is the Power of God 03:10 Carrying the Cross in Daily Life 03:17 The Cross of Parenthood 03:28 Sacrifice Within Marriage 03:37 Students Standing for the Truth 03:50 Christians Enduring Ridicule at Work 04:05 The Hidden Crosses of Ordinary Life 04:17 “God So Loved the World” 04:26 The Cross Measures God’s Love 04:46 Loving Others as God Has Loved Us 04:59 Preparing for the Great Feast 05:05 Am I Carrying or Avoiding My Cross? 05:19 Decoration or Way of Life? 05:30 One Small Cross to Embrace This Week 05:58 The Cross Is Not Meant to Crush Us 06:09 Moses and the Serpent in the Desert 06:16 Healing for Our Wounded Souls 06:27 Bowing Before the Cross 06:34 Faith, Courage and Sacrificial Love 06:47 A Blessed Preparation for the Feast 07:05 Glory in the Cross of Christ 07:14 Amen For more please visit https://www.youtube.com/@steliasbyzantinecatholicch5629 & say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #ExaltationOfTheHolyCross #JesusChrist #CatholicFaith #EasternCatholic #ByzantineCatholic #ChristianHomily #John316 #SacrificialLove #ChristianLife #TheCross #CatholicChurch #GospelReflection #SundayHomily #ChristianEncouragement

Topics

• Jesus Christ