The Cross: Proof of the Greatest Love
Does not St. Paul on every occasion show us that the death [of Christ] is the greatest proof of his love for us? He thus says: “God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8).
Also, for this reason, does not he take pride and yearn all the more, nay, even leap for joy and flutter his wings, as it were, when he writes to the Galatians: “far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14)? Even Christ himself, who endured these sufferings calls them his Glory (John 17:1)!
And when he wished to show us his love, what did he mention?
His signs or miracles or wonders?
Never! He but laid his cross in the middle saying: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son” (John 3:16).
And so did St Paul say: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also gave us all things with him?” (Rom 8:32).
And when he exhorts to love, he raises this same type in the middle saying: “Love one another, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (cf. Eph 5:2).
_St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Divine Providence 17:1-7.

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