The Gospel of John 12:31-36a
Jesus said, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. The crowd answered him, “We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.”
Collect for Holy Cross day
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Chincoteague Island Va Waterman’s Whatever we think of the world’s problems, whatever we may think of the failings and sins of our own Church, on this feast we must lift up any tear-stained faces and open our anguished hearts to the Cross that is transformed from an object of pain to become OUR symbol, our emblem of glory and hope. and it is bold to claim that the cross of Christ is our hope. Today, as we face this enemy of the coronavirus and the catastrophic fires, we must turn to the Cross as our invincible trophy. We cannot or should not wield a cross as a weapon of destruction, but a symbol of salvation and of God’s inexhaustible love for humanity. As we contemplate the Cross, we should focus our attention on Christ’s loving words as He was being crucified, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). When we reflect on our lives and our need for forgiveness, Christ’s words can become our supplication. In the Resurrection, the Cross becomes the powerful sign of our forgiveness and our new life in Christ. Because of this power, we kneel before the Cross Being a sign of Our Lord and King and Savior Jesus Christ. You never let me bear my crosses alone. You are always alongside me, carrying the cross with me. Teach me to help my neighbors bear their burdens. You told us that there is more joy in giving than receiving. Teach me to be a giver, a self-forgetter, an authentic lover – a true Christian…
Chincoteague Island Waterman’s Memorial
Reflections by Bob 