From Living Faith Daily Catholic Devotions (July/August/September 2026)

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Numbers 21:4b-9 + Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38 + Philippians 2:6-11 + John 3:13-17

The Victory of the Cross

…he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8 

“The Cross stands firm while the world turns.” is the motto of the ancient Carthusian Order of contemplative monks and nuns. This simple, yet profound, spiritual principle is at the heart of the Church’s celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In the world’s eyes, the Cross of Jesus makes little sense. But with eyes of living faith, we see the wisdom of God in Jesus’ loving self-gift on the Cross. The evangelist John Presents the Gospel in a nutshell when he writes, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

God chose the way of suffering to reconcile us to friendship with God. And so in gratitude, we pray…

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

□ Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.