Daily Reflections - April 10,2013

GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD

 

In this reflection, John the evangelist makes some of the most profound statements about God and about Jesus: “God so loved the world that He sent His only Son.”

The question is: Why does God so love the world?

When we love a person, we usually love a good and nice person. We would not easily love a criminal.

So, is the world nice and lovable? I think, the answer is clear: the world is not lovable at all. Humanity has been rotten from the very beginning, as shocking stories in the Old Testament attest to it.

While Jesus was on earth, the world was not a better place. And the world did not become more lovable after Jesus left. Just read a history book or read the daily newspapers and watch the daily news. So, why did God love such a rotten world?

We find the answer in a letter written by St. John, “Deus caritas est”(God is love). God’s nature is to love, and we are never so sinful, dirty and corrupt that He would not touch us. That’s real love.

Just as parents who suffer because of a wayward child but still love that child more than their other children who do well, so God pours His love especially on those who need His love the most.

How do we respond to this love? Jesus and the authors of the New Testament give answers to this fundamental question. During the Last Supper, Jesus told His friends, “If you love me, you keep my commandments.” And what are His commandments? “Love God and love one another as I have loved you.”

Love is supposed to be the hallmark of a Christian. It is easy to love God but Jesus tells us that we love God best when we love our neighbor. That’s a difficult task. But even if we fail more than once, we don’t give up responding to God’s incredible love for us. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Where in your daily life do you realize that your answer to God’s love is not adequate?

 

Lord, once more, You have made me aware of how much You love me. And what is my response? I feel ashamed but I know You love me so much that You will help me deepen my love for You.