Jesus is holy and filled with passionate and compassionate love for us.

At the close of chapter two of Delexit nos, Pope Francis points out that Jesus was an emotional human being. He was emotionally moved by the actions of others, grieved, and shed tears for his friend who died. Jesus was very aware of the cares and concerns of our lives.

The Gospels do not hide his raw emotions as he faced his violent death! In Gethsemane, he told Peter, James, and John, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch” (Mark 14:34). The agony he must have felt as his friends abandoned him at that hour.

The culmination of all his human feelings reaches its great crescendo at the cross. Here at the cross, we find passionate love!

Pope Francis said, “The cross is Jesus’ most eloquent word of love. A word that is not shallow, sentimental or merely edifying. It is love, sheer love” (2.46). We are not saved by how much Jesus suffered. We are saved by how much he loved in his suffering.

Pope Francis notes that Saint Paul was moved to preach the Gospel to the ends of the world. Paul was not moved by intellectual conviction. What moved his heart above all is the recognition that he was loved by this crucified Lord.

Live in my heart, Jesus. Help me be daring as I ask you for what I need. You are a loving God who knows what is best for me. Let me hide in the shadow of your cross, where all love, all desires must be rooted.