The autumn season continues “ordinary” time in the cycle of the church year. Many of the bible readings focus on the telling of parables. We are encouraged to be faithful and steadfast. Autumn also brings a renewal within the congregation. Faith formation sessions resume, and events return to community life. As the year turns, we have a rush of energy for many possibilities. With this hustle and bustle of the fall with all its competing activities, we are called to remain focused on the presence of Christ in God’s mission in the world. We celebrate several commemorations and feasts on Sundays in the fall: Holy Cross Day (September 14), Saint Michael and All Angels (transferred to September 28), St. Francis Day (transferred to October 5), Reformation Day (transferred to October 26), All Saints’ Day (transferred to November 2), and the Reign of Christ Day (November 23).
Sunday, September 14: Helena (248-340), mother of Emperor Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and found what may be the actual site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Her son built two churches there, and the dedication of one of them (the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on September 14, 335 CE) gave rise to this celebration of our Lord’s victory on the cross. While St. Helena discovered the Cross, it was the consecration of the newly built church on that site that directly led to the celebration of the feast. In the Bible, Paul reminds us that Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God. As Moses put a serpent on a pole to be a source of healing for the ancient Israelites, we lift high the cross as the sign of our health and salvation. Each time we make the sign of the cross we remember our baptism into the death and resurrection of Christ.