I am standing before the cross in all its brutality

And feel overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.

Why could the church not have a nice

Life-affirming symbol instead of a cross?

Something to remind us to love each other and

That love will always triumph in the end.

But perhaps that would be just too easy

Perhaps we need reminding

That to love unconditionally often comes at a cost

When we cross the barriers of prejudice and exclusion

That society puts up to separate us from the poor and despised

From our traditional enemies

When we truly stand up for what is right

We too may be rejected and ridiculed

The cross reminds us that love has no boundaries, no limitations

We must keep loving, regardless of the consequences

The cross is not a symbol of defeat

But a symbol of the victory of unconditional selfless love

Which should support and inspire us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.