This feast originates with the discovery of the True Cross in the 4th century AD. The word 'exaltation' here really points to the special honour given to this unique relic. But the Scripture readings point to the more literal meaning of 'exaltation', which means a lifting up. Jesus had said during his lifetime that he, being 'lifted up', would draw all people to himself. The First Reading points to a similar 'lifting up' when the Israelites could free themselves from a plague of snakes by looking up at a bronze serpent raised on a pole by Moses. But in the case of Jesus the 'lifting up' points not just to his being 'lifted up on the cross' but on a more profound 'lifting up' to sharing in the glory of his Father. And it was this 'lifting up' which proved Jesus our Saviour and brought about the forgiveness of all our sins. The Second Reading is a beautiful hymn from the Letter to the Philippians where it speaks of Jesus 'emptying himself' totally of all human dignity by dying naked and a criminal on the cross only to be 'lifted up' to the glory of his Father. Let us thank God for all that he has done for us in Jesus and ask ourselves how we should respond.