In today's Gospel John compares Jesus being lifted up on the Cross to the incident in the Book of Numbers (today's First Reading) where a plague of serpents is sent against the Israelites because of their constant complaining against God. In a much more radical way, Jesus, too, is lifted up "so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life." Because Jesus' giving of his life on the Cross is a sign of his Father's love for each and every one of us. As Jesus will tell his disciples, "the greatest love a person can show is to give his life for his friends." The word 'Exaltation' in the name of today's feast means a 'lifting up' and in the gospel of John Jesus says that he, being "lifted up" will draw all peoples to himself. This "lifting up" refers not only to Jesus being physically raised on the Cross. Jesus, while on the Cross, dies, is raised to new life with the Father and breathes forth the Spirit (Pentecost). Jesus is totally "exalted" on the Cross. And, in the Second Reading, we read about the 'emptying' of Jesus. To give us new life he emptied himself and became a slave - and even more endured the terrible death of crucifixion. And all of this was to help us understand the extent of his Father's love for each one of us. And, because of this self-emptying, the Father has raised him up, has "exalted" him so that the name of Jesus is now above every other name, and before which every knee should bend in deep adoration and confess Jesus as Lord.