Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Today's the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Here's the Gospel for the day, via the Anglican Missal:

St. John 12. 31. 
At that time: Jesus said unto the multitudes of the Jews: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (This he said, signifying what death he should die.) The people answered him: We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou: The Son of man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of man? Then Jesus said unto them: Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

Believe in the light, that ye may be children of light. Amen to that, in these dark and murderous times. Here's the Collect:

GOD, who as on this day dost gladden us with the yearly festival of the Exaltation of thy Holy Cross: grant, we beseech thee, that we which on earth have known the mystery of the redemption which thou hast wrought for us, may be found worthy to receive the rewards thereof in heaven. Who livest...

You may recall that the True Cross was carried into action at the disastrous battle of the Horns of Hattin, which saw the Outremer army utterly defeated by Saladin. The Cross was captured by the Moslem general, who took Jerusalem shortly after. A Golgotha? Perhaps, and I'd argue the Middle East, to say nothing of the West, is still paying the price.

Regardless, St. Francis attempted to convert Saladin. He failed, but so impressed the Mohammedan that he returned the Cross to the saint.

Pax Tibi, Per Crucem,

LSP