In our Catholic faith, we often speak of Jesus’ humility, how He was born in a stable, walked among the poor, and gave His life on the cross. But there is also another side to Jesus’ story: His exaltation. This means that after His suffering and death, God raised Him up in glory. Jesus, once humiliated and rejected, is now lifted high, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
This is what we celebrate when we talk about the Exaltation of the Lord. It is not just a feast day on the Church calendar, like the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 14. It’s a deep truth that touches our hearts: God always brings light out of darkness, and victory out of the cross.
To exalt someone is to lift them up, to honor them. We do this all the time in daily life, when we cheer for someone’s success, or when we speak kindly of someone’s goodness. In the case of Jesus, His exaltation is something far greater. After He gave His life for us on the cross, He rose from the dead, appeared to His disciples, and then ascended into heaven. God raised Him up, not just physically, but spiritually and eternally. Jesus is now glorified, seated at the right hand of the Father, where He prays and intercedes for us.
In Philippians 2:9–11, we read: “Because of this, God greatly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend.” These words remind us that Jesus is not only our friend and Saviour, but also our King and Lord. This truth brings us comfort and hope. Life can be full of struggles: illness, loss, disappointment, or moments when we feel far from God. But Jesus’ story reminds us that the cross is never the end. If we stay close to God, if we carry our crosses with love and patience, He will lift us up too. Jesus shows us that suffering has meaning, and that glory comes through faithfulness. This truth also invites us to worship. When we kneel at Mass, when we sing hymns, when we receive the Eucharist, we are honouring our risen and exalted Lord. We recognize His presence among us and give Him thanks, not only for what He has done, but for who He is.
Sometimes, I think about Mary, Jesus’ mother, standing at the foot of the cross. How hard it must have been to watch her Son suffer.Yetshe stayed. She believed. And in the end,she saw theResurrection. She witnessed the exaltation.
That same pattern is true in our lives. We may go through dark times, but if we remain faithful, if we trust in God’s plan, we will see His glory shine through. Jesus’ exaltation is not a far-off mystery. It is something close to us. Every time we choose forgiveness over anger, hope over despair, love over hate, we lift Jesus up in our hearts. Every time we say “yes” to God, we join in His glory. The Exaltation of the Lord reminds us that Jesus, once crucified, is now glorified. It is a celebration of God’s power, mercy, and love. As Catholics, we are invited to live this mystery every day, by trusting in God during our struggles and by giving Him glory in our joys. Let us remember that the same Jesus who was lifted high on the cross is now lifted high in heaven. And one day, if we follow Him with love and faith, we too will share in His glory.
Ashodi Ferro