In Lithuania, near the small industrial city called Siauliai (shoo-lay) with a very fascinating hill.

>> This hill is known as the “Hill of Crosses”…

… because it is adorned with literally hundreds of thousands of crosses.

(Estimates put around 100,000 crosses in 2006)
This city of Siauliai was founded in 1236

>> But soon after came under the captivity of a military order called the Teutonic Knights.
This was the time, when the tradition of putting crosses on the hill began

>> Each cross was a prayer to God for freedom!
Over the next many centuries, the city was occupied by many other invading nations…

>> But, during all those difficult decades,  a constant flow of pilgrims made their way to the “Hill of Crosses”…

…. to pray and to plant more crosses!
Three times, during 1961, 1973 and 1975, atheistic  authorities bulldozed the hill.

>> The thousands of crosses were burned or turned into scrap metal, and the area was covered with waste and sewage.
But every time, pilgrims kept coming back and raising more crosses.

 
It was only by 1985, that the ‘Hill of Crosses’ was finally left in peace!

The “Hill of Cross” is the great symbol…

… of the willingness to accept trials and trust in God!

… of the hope and expectation that prayers are always answered!

… of the readiness to face any adversity, knowing that the Lord cares!

The Gospel of the Day presents before us, Jesus, our Crucified Lord…

… reminding of the inevitability of the Cross in the life of a Christian

>> And the need to be persons who are Responsive and Responsible to this “Crucifying Challenge of Christianity!” 

It’s interesting to know that Christianity at its beginning never really had a symbol. 

The “Cross” as a symbol identifying Christ and His followers emerged by the second century…

… and by the time of Emperor Constantine, it was firmly established as The Sign of Christian Faith!
Christianity sometimes is really strange, when compared to other ways of life…
>> While other ways of life propose actualizing oneself and finding salvation through one’s own abilities; 

… Christianity suggests discovering the mystery of God deeper and find salvation in Him!
>> While other ways of life propose casting away all pains and difficulties and living a prosperous life; 

… Christianity suggests accepting sufferings and trials and detaching oneself from vain riches!
>> While other ways of life propose liberality and openness in identifying with the moral trends of the modern world; 

… Christianity suggests swimming against wrong trends and enjoying true love of all children of God!
>> While other ways of life propose easier and appealing techniques and signs which can attract masses of people; 

… Christianity suggests having the tough and the not-so-alluring Cross as a symbol which may even repel people!
Yeah, Christianity is strange..simply because it founder was strange! 
Jesus never demanded popularity. 

>> He never suggested easy paths or compromised His convictions!

 
And Jesus did die in a strange way…on a Cross!
The Cross was a hated symbol in the ancient world. 
Crucifixion must have the most brutal means of execution ever devised. 

>> Unlike modern methods of capital punishment that are designed to produce a quick death…

…. Crucifixion was meant to ensure that the person on the cross would die a slow, agonizing death!

What is the relation of the World and the Cross?
1. THE WORLD IS OFFENDED BY THE CROSS!

Christianity is sometimes referred to…

… as a “slaughterhouse religion” – a religion that worships a Man butchered on the Cross!

… as a “sadistic religion” – a religion that takes pride in announcing its members being washed clean by the BLOOD of a Man!

… as a “stupid religion” – a religion that glories in rendering homage to a God who is killed miserably! 
 It really seems a total offence..a perfect mockery of religion… 

>> The Cross is a Scandal and an Offence to the World!
2. THE WORLD IS JUDGED BY THE CROSS 

The world takes deep pride in being Proud! 

>> The world loves to show off its ability and power and to say that it is capable of being totally independent!
But the Cross shames this notion of the world!
The Cross proves that human beings by themselves can never redeem themselves…

… they have to come to God! 
The cross stands as a silent sentinel proclaiming that you have to come God’s way…

… or you won’t come at all.  
The cross stands in judgment over the sinful pride of the human race. 

3. THE WORLD IS SAVED BY THE CROSS 

In Num 21 we read how Moses made the bronze serpent…

 

… and how all who looked at it, were saved from God’s wrath! 

>> The very serpents which were symbolic of sin and death now symbolized life and redemption to them!
In Jn 3, we read how the Cross would be lifted up…

…. and all who looked at it, would be saved from God’s wrath! 

>> The very cross which was symbolic of oppression and misery now symbolized life and redemption to all!
Yes, the Cross is a symbol of shame to the world!  

>> But for Christians, it is a symbol of salvation!
The Cross is a symbol of absolute stupidity & absurdness to the world!

>> But for Christians, it’s a symbol of the majestic wisdom of God!
St John of the Cross would say:

 “The road is narrow. 

He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the Cross as his cane. 

>> In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.” 

  
Two thieves on either sides, died with Christ on the Cross:

>> One mocked Jesus…

… the other sought Jesus 
>> One took pride in himself…

… the other humbled himself 
>> One lost a golden opportunity…

… the other, won the Prized Paradise! 

The cross with Jesus hanging beckons to each one of one of us now 
We have a choice – like both the thieves… 

>> Are we going to lose a golden opportunity…

… or are we going to seek the Prized Paradise? 
The Choice is ours!
>> ESCAPE FROM THE CROSS…

… OR EMBRACE THE CROSS!!
>> EXIT THE CROSS…

… OR EXALT THE CROSS!!
May we seek the special intercession of Blessed Mother Teresa…

… who will be canonized today

>> That her exemplary life of taking up the Cross of ‘service in action’ may inspire us to also reach out to the poor and needy in our lives!
When we find ourselves struggling with the hardships and trials of life…

>> When we feel even the strong emptiness of God’s presence in our lives…

… We need to be like the pilgrims of the “Hill of Crosses”

>> Planting the crosses of our difficulties on the inner hill of our hearts…

… and thus finding peace, consolation and strength!
God Bless! Live Jesus!