Could He have loved us any more?

BY THE HOLY CROSS YOU HAVE REDEEMED THE WORLD
Jn 3:13–17

What might have seemed the tragic end of an itinerant preacher in a forgotten corner of the Roman Empire became the beginning of a faith that has spread across the whole world. Christianity is unique: it is the only religion born from the death of its founder. The Cross is to the Church what the flag is to a nation—its emblem, its rallying point, its identity. With this sign we bless ourselves, one another, and the world around us.

Yet once, the Cross was a sign of shame and terror. Crucifixion was the most degrading form of execution known to the ancient world. Cicero declared: “Let the very word ‘cross’ be far removed not only from the bodies of Roman citizens, but even from their thoughts, their eyes, their ears.” To the world it was an instrument of cruelty, degradation, and final defeat. Today, by God’s grace, the Cross has become the sign of life, hope, and redemption.

Many wear a cross as ornament or jewellery, but its true meaning runs deeper. Who would wear a miniature gallows, guillotine, or electric chair? And yet, the Cross was the place where the Son of God gave His life for us. The early Christians knew this scandal well. St Paul wrote that it was a stumbling block to the Jews and sheer folly to the Greeks. But in truth it was the price of salvation: Jesus had to embrace His Cross before He could be crowned with glory by His Father. What looked like defeat became the triumph of divine love.

How did this reversal take place? The Father willed that His Son should confront the powers of evil and overthrow them—not by violence, but by surrendering Himself to death, and then rising in glory. As St John declares: “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life.” The Cross reveals the immeasurable generosity of God.

What parent would willingly give up a child to save others? And yet this is what the Father has done. Just as the Israelites once looked upon the bronze serpent and were healed, so we look upon the Cross of Christ to find life and salvation. St Francis of Assisi called the Cross his “book of meditation.” To gaze on the crucifix is to see both the horror of our sins and the greatness of God’s mercy. If we truly contemplated this mystery, how much less would we sin?

The Preface of today’s Mass expresses it perfectly: “The tree of man’s defeat became his tree of victory; where life was lost, there life has been restored through Christ our Lord.” Jesus has turned the instrument of death into the sign of triumph.

May we never tire of saying with faith and love:
“We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy Cross You have redeemed the world.”

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