[A
homily on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross on the occasion of the University
Day of Peace of the Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon (September
14, 2012)]
The talent show, X
Factor, in Australia had an interesting contestant during last year’s season.
Emmanuel Kelly, like his brother Ahmed, was born in a war zone in Iraq with no
birth certificate or any documentation to prove their identity. They were found
in a Baghdad park in a shoe box by nuns who, in turn, brought them to an
orphanage. Eventually, they were adopted by Moira Kelly, an Australian lady who
is the boss of Children First Foundation, who brought them to Australia for
surgery. Both children suffered from limb deficiencies as a result of chemical
warfare. After such quick background presentation, the now teenager Emmanuel auditioned in the X Factor Australia and sung his heart out by rendering John
Lennon’s “Imagine,” winning the hearts of the crowd and constraining many to
reach for their tissues to wipe their tears while listening to this boy who,
behind his incredible story, has an amazing, awe-inspiring voice.
Today,
the Catholic Church throughout the world celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation
of the Cross and, at the same time, Central Mindanao University celebrates its
University Day of Peace, in conjunction with the United Nations’ observance of
the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2012. Is there a relationship
between peace and the cross?
