On Sept. 14, the Church unites in celebrating the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. For the followers of Jesus, his death on the cross was a moment of letting go, of saying goodbye, of reaching the end. At the sight of Jesus’ death, the disciples caved in grief; some lost hope, some disappeared into their former ways of life. The physical death of Jesus Christ became a farewell, a tragedy, a moment that seemed unimaginable and unforgivable.

The cross of Christ now stands in our hearts, giving meaning to our suffering, our anguish, our flawed humanity. The sign of death is now a true sign of hope. We lift Christ’s cross as a sign of mercy and peace within our individual and communal suffering. The Resurrection changed death into a passage into eternal life.

I minister among aging priests and religious. At Holy Cross House at the University of Notre Dame, a medical team and other priests and brothers help our residents through disease, loss and every consequence of aging. It is one of the most beautiful aspects of my life and ministry to journey with our men in the last weeks or even moments of their lives.

In my short time in this ministry, I have seen the reality of the cross of Christ in ways I have not encountered before. This close-up view brings me to my knees in prayer and silences me on many days. Each man’s death is different, as each life is different. As we journey through illness, dementia and diminishment, I find Jesus leading the way. I see men who have witnessed great suffering in their ministries plan for their deaths with an incredible freedom and even joy. For others, death is still the enemy, and fear becomes their friend. Even after years of prayer, ministry and service, some men struggle to receive the redeeming love of the cross. Letting go of life is not easy.

One thing has proved true: We die as we have lived. When we have enjoyed life, found love in it, opened ourselves to its flow of good times and bad, we usually find the same in the dying process. Those who have fought life, who always see themselves as the victim, who struggle to forgive and let go, encounter the chaos of the cross until their last breath. Some of us lift high the cross of Christ and some of us cannot bear such a notion.

As we celebrate the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, we are invited to encounter the reality of what we proclaim. We cannot gloss over this feast or leave it on the altar. It is an invitation to discover our heart’s desire; a profound and loving moment in which we encounter Christ Jesus’ redeeming love for us. It is a time to let go of all that ails our conscience, all that triggers our fears, all that keeps us self-reliant or self-obsessed. This feast is at the heart of what we believe and what we base our life upon.

Many of the disciples fled the scene of Jesus’ death, unable to face such agony and grief. They felt that their future with Jesus had ended, but we all know that there is more to the story than such darkness. The instrument of death is our symbol of redemption, compassion and eternal life. We cannot take for granted the action of Christ’s death or even his resurrection. If we are his followers, most especially his priests, then we will allow such a mystery to form our lives, our ministries, our gifts and talents, our lives of love and relationship, and even our own deaths.

FATHER RONALD PATRICK RAAB, CSC, serves as religious superior at Holy Cross House, a medical facility and retirement home for the Congregation of Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Indiana. Learn more at www.ronaldraab.com.