The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Entrance Antiphon

We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered.

First Reading Num 21:4-9

On the way through the wilderness, the Israelites lost patience. They spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? For there is neither bread nor water here; we are sick of this unsatisfying food.’
At this God sent fiery serpents among the people; their bite brought death to many in Israel. The people came and said to Moses, ‘We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Intercede for us with the Lord to save us from these serpents.’ Moses interceded for the people, and the Lord answered him, ‘Make a fiery serpent and put it on a standard. If anyone is bitten and looks at it, he shall live.’ So Moses fashioned a bronze serpent which he put on a standard, and if anyone was bitten by a serpent, he looked at the bronze serpent and lived.

Responsorial Psalm

(R)Do not forget the works of the Lord!
1.Give heed, my people, to my teaching; turn your ear to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable and reveal hidden lessons of the past. (R.)
2.When he slew them then they would seek him, return and seek him in earnest. They would remember that God was their rock, God the Most High their redeemer. (R.)
3.But the words they spoke were mere flattery; they lied to him with their lips. For their hearts were not truly with him; they were not faithful to his covenant. (R.)
4.Yet he who is full of compassion forgave their sin and spared them. So often he held back his anger when he might have stirred up his rage. (R.)

Second Reading Phil 2:6-11

The state of Jesus was divine, yet he did not cling
to his equality with God but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are;
and being as all men are, he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death, death on a cross.