“For God so loved the world”(John 3:16).
Is there a better premise on which to base a life?
‘For God so loves us, for God so loves me, for God even
loves those I do not love so much.’
It is hard to argue with the thesis of John’s Gospel: a Gospel that explains so well the marriage
between the Incarnation and life in the Spirit, affirming the unequivocal
goodness of Creation and the transcending nature of faith –all providing hope
for genuine resurrection.
But the Philippians hymn, that also we hear today, is not
bad either.
It reminds of once upon a time while I was struggling and a
wise person rather providentially said to me that a vocation is grounded in
service – it (the Christian calling) does not make sense without a significant
other to love.
I think she was right.
Unless we empty ourselves of ourselves and become open to
mystery, to needs and wants outside of ourselves, we implode (and sink).
Life in the spirit demands self-sacrifice, genuine care, and
compassion for others who long to be loved.
The Christian calling is, sine glossa, to love as Jesus loved.
And it never hurts to remind ourselves that “God loved us
first”(1 John 4.19), while Jesus loved his friends to the end (John 13.1).
.jpg)
In preparation for the upcoming Synod on the Family, a Belgian
bishop has written an inspiring theological expose on his ‘expectations’ for
the Synod where he wrestles with the relationship between the Church and the World
- the world that, of course, God so loved.
Bishop Bonny makes the point that while with Christ it was indeed all against
one, it was never one against all.
“Jesus opened his heart and his arms
to people whoever they were and whatever their experience in life. There were no walls or boundaries around his
mercy and compassion. He went from village
to village to be sure that no sick person would elude him, no leper seek him in
vain, no sinner be left without forgiveness.
He entered into dialogue with unexpected dialogue partners and accepted
invitations to dine with people of questionable character. He was not particular or exclusive in his
choice of friends or table companions, not even in his choice of apostles. These,” the bishop says “are the tracks on
which Jesus placed the Church. In her
relationship with the world and the people who live in it, the Church should
exhibit the same openness and compassion as her founder.”
Well friends, we are the Church and we are
to follow Jesus. Might we do so by being
open. Might we ground ourselves in the words of Jesus, believing that God truly
loves the world including all of us who remain within it. With hope for resurrection, might we too love
and serve.
