WHEN MY four children were growing up they went through a phase of being mad about playing Noughts and Crosses – as the saying goes ‘anytime, anywhere, anyplace.’ At home, at their grandparents, in the garden or in the car, it really didn’t matter where they played because all that is needed is a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Oh… and a willing victim of course, to play with.

Didn’t I mention that they were rarely content to compete with each other? Although perfectly capable of this, they far preferred to inveigle an adult into the game and then preferably beat them hollow. And you’ve probably already guessed that the adult was usually me…

As I reflected upon the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross which is celebrated on September 14th,

I was reminded of the game of Noughts and Crosses, so beloved of my offspring. You will, I am sure, be able to instantly recognise why the ‘crosses’ in the game would be reminiscent of the Holy Cross. But you may wonder where the noughts come into the equation. And yet the reason for this is quite simple.

A nought represents zero, nada or nil. It means nothing. According to the English dictionary, the adjective means worthless or useless. Indeed, the idiom ‘come to naught’, meaning without result or fruition, is a direct result of this. Yet when we remember the Holy Cross in terms of the crucifixion we know that historically the scribes, Pharisees and some of the elders of that time wished that Jesus was nothing. But actually, he was everything.

They hoped that by having him put to death, his