The Greeks mentioned in today’s gospel were Jews who lived in the diaspora - other parts of the Roman Empire outside of Judea. They’ve come to Jerusalem on pilgrimage to celebrate the Passover, the Jews’ most holy day.

When they hear about Jesus they speak words that are the simplest, yet one of the most beautiful prayers in all the Bible: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Jesus’ response, however, is a little confusing.

Instead of saying, “Yes, show them in,” he gives a long discourse explaining “his hour”, his coming sacrifice on the cross. On first reading, it seems like he is refusing their request to see him. At the end of his speech, however, it is clear that he is welcoming them with open arms: “When I am lifted up from the earth,” he explains, “I will draw all people to myself.”

By his crucifixion, Jesus reveals himself to all people, in all times and places, including the Greek visitors and us.

Jesus wants everyone to find him, to learn from him, to know him and to love him. That’s the whole point of his coming among us as a man in the first place. That’s also why he allowed himself to be crucified: it shows us both his outer self and his inner self. We not only see his body offered up on the cross; we also see his sacred heart exposed for all to see. His heart blazes with so much love for us that he is willing to die for our sake in unspeakable pain and humiliation because he knows that will reopen the gates of heaven to us.

The crucifix is the great revelation of the heart of God.

If, like the Greeks in today’s gospel, we want to “see Christ”, to see and know God, we have only to raise our eyes and behold him dying on the cross in order to give us life.

It is on the cross that Christ is most recognisable to us and most attractive to us. Likewise, we need to remember that we are no less attractive to him when we are weighed down under the weight of our own crosses and weaknesses.