The celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross by Christians today may be confusing as perhaps seeing the John 3:16 banner at sports events. The Gospel of John and the other texts in the Roman Catholic Lectionary today expand our understanding of the nature of Divine Love. Friar Jude Winkler places the famous biblical citation in the context of John’s presentation of Jesus conversation with Nicodemus. In John Chapter 3, key words “Lifted Up” and “Eternal Life” precede “Gave” in 3:16. The Evangelist substitutes glorification for Moses simply mounting the serpent in the text from the Book of Numbers. Frederick Buechner declares the Good News in this Christian symbol for participating in the life of Jesus today. Friar Jude uses the Greek word “kenosis” in reference to the Will of God for Jesus which is praised in the text from the letter to the Philippians. The pattern of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation on the cross, where the measure of the Love of God is visible, is the giving of the Father to humanity in 3:16. Richard Hauser, S.J. asks about our experiences of gazing at Jesus on the Cross and praying for strength.The USCCB commentary on John 3:17 notes that God did not come to condemn (the Greek root means both judgment and condemnation). Jesus’ purpose is to save, but his coming provokes judgment and some condemn themselves by turning from the light. Let seeing the 3:16 banners and T-Shirts be an opportunity for us to enter with John the Evangelist into the exaltation of infinite Love offered us daily to live with Him.
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