Outrageous Love

    

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

04 June 2023

 

First Reading: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9

Responsorial Psalm: Dn 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56

Second Reading: 2 Cor 13:11-13

Gospel: Jn 3:16-18

 

Reflection

By: Grace B. Madrinan

 

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." - John 3:16

Reading this verse, it did not say that God so loved the "good people" that He gave His only Son...it said God so loved the "world". This means, all of us, no exceptions, good and bad people alike...we are loved by God.

Yes. God loves everyone. That annoying neighbor who always blocks your driveway, that obnoxious person who took your seat in the train, yes God loves them, too. You hate that politician in the news? Guess what? God loves him too. Nothing will ever make God love us less.

I know. It was difficult for me as well to even imagine that the person I cannot bear to be in the same room with, is sharing this same love with me. "Where is the justice in that?" I told myself. But then again, I re-read the verse and there's this second phrase. "...so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life." And this is where justice will be served.

It does not stop at God loving us. It is now up to us. What are we going to do with this gift of love? Do we accept or reject it? By accepting it means coming into a relationship with God, a commitment that says, "Yes, I belive in You. And because I am grateful for this love, I will follow Your ways."

Furthermore, "Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned," (John 3:18). It does not mean that just because God loves us, we will be spared. We will all come to this judgement in the end. But if we believe in Jesus, we have greater chances of His paradise.

Prayer

Father, we are mere broken, stubborn, imperfect people, yet You gave us Jesus to redeem us from sins. Thank You for the gift of love. May we continue to strive to be better, to be deserving of Your love. Amen.