Homily of St. Leo: Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

 

At the lifting up of Christ upon the cross, dearly beloved, there comes to the mind's eye not only the image which was in the eyes of those wicked men to whom it was said by Moses: "And thy life will be hanging before thine eyes, and thou wilt fear day and night, and thou wilt have no trust in thy life." For these men were able to think of nothing concerning the crucified Lord save their own crime, having not that fear whereby true confidence is justified, but that whereby a wicked conscience is tormented.'

But may our understanding, which the Spirit of truth enlightens, accept with a clean and cheerful heart the glory of the cross that shines over heaven and earth; and with spiritual insight may it see what it was that the Lord, speaking of the approach of His Passion, said: "Now is the judgment of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, Will draw all things to myself." O wondrous power of the cross, O unspeakable glory of the Passion, in which there is at once the Lord's tribunal, the judgment of the world and the power of the Crucified. For, O Lord, Thou hast drawn all things to Thyself; and when all the day long Thou didst stretch forth Thy hands to a people unbelieving and gainsaying Thee, the whole world received understanding to praise Thy Majesty.

Thou, O Lord, hast drawn all things to Thyself, when in execration of the Jews' crime all the elements gave one sentence: the lights of heaven were overcast; day turned to night; the earth too was shaken with unaccustomed tremors, and all creation denied its service to the impious. Thou, O Lord, didst draw all things to Thyself, for with the rending of the Temple veil the Holy of Holies was taken from unworthy priests, that thus the figure might be turned into the truth, prophecy to its fulfillment, and the Law to the Gospel.

Thou, O Lord didst draw all things to Thyself, that what was hidden under shadowy symbols in the one temple of Judea might be devoutly celebrated in every place as a full and open reality. For now, the order of Levites is nobler, the dignity of the Elders is ampler, and the anointment of priests more sacred; for Thy cross, the fount of all blessings, is the cause of all graces. By it is given to those who believe, strength in their weakness, glory in their shame, life in death. Now that the diversity of animal sacrifices is ended, the one offering of Thy body and blood fully supplies for the variety of sacrifices. For Thou art the true Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world; and so in Thyself dost Thou fulfill all mysteries, that as there is a single sacrifice for all the victims, so there will be but one kingdom from every tribe and kindred.