Crux Spes Unica; The Cross, Our Only Hope

Crux Spes Unica; the motto of my high school alma mater (Holy Cross) means "The Cross, Our Only Hope". Indeed, we Christians embrace the paradox of all paradoxes in the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.

What was a terrible instrument of death has become the glorious instrument of salvation. What was reserved for the lowest of the low has revealed the meaning of Christ's kingship. What once was an example of enmity and hatred has become an example of solidarity and charity. Reversing the failure in the Garden, in which Adam took for himself of the tree of life thus bringing death, Jesus the new Adam offers Himself on a tree of death thus bringing everlasting life. What once brought despair, has become our only hope.

Glory to you O Lord! For so far above our ways are your ways! So far above our thoughts are your thoughts.

Today is the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross.

The Council of Trent emphasizes the unique character of Christ's sacrifice as "the source of eternal salvation" and teaches that "his most holy Passion on the wood of the cross merited justification for us." And the Church venerates his cross as she sings: "Hail, O Cross, our only hope." (Catechism 616)