Call of the Cross - Fr. Gregory - September 17, 2023

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Sophia and her three daughters, Faith, Hope, and Love. Martyrs of the church, these four Saints voluntarily took up their cross and sacrificed their lives instead of denying Christ. “For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s will save it,” said our Lord. Father Gregory connects the recent feast of the Holy Cross, today’s Gospel reading from Saint Mark, and the feast day of Saint Sophia and her daughters to explain the significance of both the Holy Cross and the martyrs of the church. He explains the Holy Cross is the center of the church, the wisdom (sophia) of God and it reveals to us faith, hope, and love. Through the Holy Cross our faith in Jesus Christ is tested as we are called to believe in Christ even in times that he may feel absent or “dead on the Cross”. It reveals to us love as we see Jesus forgo His own will for the will of God. Finally, the Holy Cross is a symbol of hope as we anticipate the resurrection and the coming of God’s kingdom. Like the martyrs, we are called to bear our crosses, whether imposed or voluntarily, and deny ourselves for the sake of the other and out of love for God. If we do this, Father Gregory says, we will follow in the path of the martyrs and the Holy Cross toward salvation and eternal life.