Numbers 21:4-9 / Philippians 2:6-11 / John 3:13-17
Death by crucifixion, to say the least, is barbaric. It was a cruel form of execution ending with a horrific death.
And we don't deny the fact that Jesus died that kind of cruel and horrible death.
But as St. Paul said in the 2nd reading, the crucifixion and death of Jesus is for us, the very essence of our faith and hope.
It is the sign of supreme love, the sign of the extent that love will be shown in order to save us.
But the cross as a sign of hope and love is a paradox.
Because a cruel and horrible death seems to be a contradiction of hope and love.
But in Jesus, the reality of death has become the symbol of hope and love.
When we see the arms stretched out and nailed to the cross, we see the arms of love stretched out to save us.
The cross of death has become for us the symbol of life and love.
In the cross, the sting of death is erased by the love of Jesus.
In the cross, God showed He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to save us.
In the cross, we now know that God sent His Son into the world not to condemn the world, but rather through Him, we and all creation will be saved.
For that we must give thanks to God and carry the cross of life and love.