Cross and love: discovering a sign of hope in Plan-les-Ouates

Cross and love: discovering a sign of hope in Plan-les-Ouates

On September 14, 2025, the Eglise Saint-Bernard de Menthon in Plan-les-Ouates attracted numerous believers to listen to a moving address by Abbé Philippe Matthey. The priest highlighted the profound meaning of the cross, which is considered the central symbol of Christianity. “The cross is the visible sign of God’s love,” said Matthey, who looked back on a catechism lesson in which the priest asked the children what they recognized in a large cross. Pastor Georges' subsequent answer resonated: “It is a source of light that is brighter than the sun.”

Abbé Matthey described the cross not only as a sign of suffering, but as a radical expression of God's love. The celebration of this “glorious cross” is perceived as a celebratory act that helps believers celebrate their connection to God’s love. In a world full of worries, fears and violence, challenges often obscure this love. Especially in such dark times, it is important to turn to the cross in order to empathize with the human experiences of Jesus - not as a magician, but as someone who shares our suffering with us.

The Christian journey of faith

In his homily, Matthey also presented the three steps of the Christian journey of faith: curiosity, search and wonder. These steps illustrate how faith can ultimately lead to salvation. Particularly noteworthy is the connection to the biblical story of the Hebrew people looking to the desert for a sign of freedom. The bronze serpent mentioned in this story is interpreted as a symbol of evil and temptation. The need to recognize evil in order to find healing is a key point raised by the Abbé.

The message is underpinned by the biblical readings enshrined in the Eucharist, including texts from the books of Numbers, Psalms and the letters of Paul. They emphasize that faith in Jesus, who died on the cross, is the key to reconciliation with God. “God loves the world and gives his Son for eternal life,” recalls a central statement from John 3:16, which understands Christ’s gift of self as the culmination of divine love. This reflects the beliefs already described in the work “On Love” by G. Groß, where the cross is illuminated as an expression of God's plan of salvation.

The cross in context

The cross has evolved over time from various symbols of early Christianity, such as the staurogram and the Christ monogram. From the 5th century onwards, the cross became the main symbol of Christianity, while originally it also had ornamental uses. The origins of the cross extend to the T-shaped crux commissa. Interestingly, the story highlights that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ plays a central role in restoring the broken covenant between man and God.

Whether in the form of crucifixes, often worn as jewelry or used in blessing rites, or as a symbol of hope and reconciliation in art, the cross remains a deeply rooted symbol that continues to shape the lives of many believers. In addition, the connection between love and suffering is particularly emphasized in Christian theology, as God suffers with his creatures and is unwilling to ignore the challenges of life.

In the face of this urgent message and spiritual reflection, Abbé Philippe Matthey's address left a strong echo. At a time when life's challenges become overwhelming, the cross remains a sure anchor of hope and God's love.