Something new happened at Calvary.  The sufferings of the pure and sinless son of God transformed sinful man by love.  God himself was the point where reconciliation took place in the person of his Son who atoned for the sins of mankind.

A new order began with the Crucifixion.  Man’s disconnect was rectified; the relationship between God and man, which sin had severed, was now restored.  St. Paul explains to the Gentiles: “We beg you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God” (2 Cor 5:19-20).

What makes man unique is his God-given gift of free will.  God wills all men to be saved, but he respects man’s free will and his free will choice.