24C Sunday homily (14 September 2025) Jesus saves us by his cross

 

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS SUNDAY HOMILY, JOHN 3:13-17, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

 

1. STORY

On July 30, 1941, a prisoner escaped from Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi concentration camp in Poland.  In retaliation the commandant of the camp lined up the inmates of block 14 and ordered ten of them to be selected for punishment.  They were to be starved to death.  One of them cried out in tears that he would never see his young family again.  At this point another prisoner stepped forward and volunteered to take his place.  The commandant asked him who he was.  He replied, I am a Catholic priest." The commandant accepted the offer and so Fr. Maximilian Kobe gave up his life to save another man, just as Jesus gave up his life to save us.  He died on August 14, 1941.  He was canonized in 1982 by St. Pope John Paul II.

 

2. GOSPEL: JOHN 3:13-17

A. GOD'S LOVE FOR US

God so loved us who were in need of help, in need of salvation, that he sent Jesus, his only son to save us.  Jesus loved us so much that he was willing to die on the cross for our salvation.

B. THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

Because of God's love and Jesus' love for us, we were granted the gift of eternal life.   Only God thought Jesus could give us this precious gift.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. BE THANKFUL FOR THE GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE

This gift came through the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.  This gift was not purchased as if one went into a store to buy a precious ring or watch.  Jesus was like a life guard giving up his life by jumping into the water to save a drowning man, or like a fireman giving up his life by entering a burning building to save one or like a doctor saving one with a deadly disease like Ebola or SARS.  This gift came at a very high price, the suffering and death of Jesus.

B. HELP JESUS TO SAVE OTHERS

Are there others in need of salvation?  Yes.  Are we able to help Jesus in his task of saving other?  Yes.  Here are three suggests on how you can help Jesus.

i) Pray for one who is sick, poor, lonely, jobless or unhappy.  There are plenty of these people.

ii) Listen to these people.  By giving your time to listen to them, you give moral support.  Most people are too busy to give time to others.

iii) It may be possible to suggest ways to help to lessen their suffering or how to solve their problem.

 

4. CONCLUSION

St. Maximilian Kobe gave up his life to save a young prisoner.  God our Father and Jesus loved us so much that Jesus died on the cross to save us, to give us eternal life.  We should daily thank Jesus for this great love for us.  We, as followers of Jesus, have the responsibility and talent to help those in need by our prayers, by listening to those in need and by suggestion ways to lessen their pain and sorrow.