The cross expresses love, service, unreserved self-giving: it truly is the “tree of life”, of overabundant life.
Pope Francis
Jesus came to be a revelation of God’s love. Through the cross, he is the final revelation. He shows us that Love is self-emptying and self-giving. “Why did Jesus die?” The discourse from the Garden of Gethsemane shows us that he did not want to die. But people resented and feared his revelation. So a better question to reflect on might be “Why did humanity kill Jesus?” We prefer a harsh god whom we could predict and control. Instead Jesus shows us that God is wildly out of control with His boundless love for us.
