The Only Love (Jn 3:13-17)

There are many ways we speak about love… flowers, hearts, tenderness, friendship. All of these are beautiful, but when I stand at the Cross, I know there is only one love in history that carried its full weight. In the wilderness, the people were healed not by escaping the serpents, but by lifting their eyes to what were raised before them. The Cross is the same: healing is not found in running away from pain, but in daring to look at it, held in love.

 I am reminded of that story from the war: a mother found lifeless, her body shielding her child in the rubble. The child was pulled out alive, and one rescuer whispered, “This is what love looks like.” The Cross is God doing the same, placing Himself between us and despair. Not love written in soft symbols, but love carved into sacrifices. Augustine once said, “The measure of love is to love without measure.” That is the Cross, without measure, without limit, without condition.

The love of Jesus is not hidden in comfort or beauty. It is stretched open in pain, exposed for all to see. It is the love that does not walk away, even when betrayed. The love that does not defend itself, even when mocked. The love that empties itself, even when crushed. This is the only love that does not fade, does not deceive, and does not seek its own gain. It is not one love among many. It is the Love, the love that changes history, the love that steps into our wilderness and refuses to let us die there.

And when I stand at the Cross, my heart cannot hold back. Two things overwhelm me: The stretched hands tell me, “I have given you my all. Nothing more could I give. “Those same hands, still open, seem to reach for me, whispering, “Come as you are. I long to hold you.”

Here, before the Cross, I finally understand. This is love without measure, love without end. The only love strong enough to save me, and tender enough to embrace me.

 - Lilly Pushpam PBVM