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Hello Friends,
One of the most powerful lines in all of Scripture for me is proclaimed on this Third Sunday of Lent in our Second Reading from Saint Paul's letter to the Romans. It’s this:
“But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
I think this line of Scripture needs to be contemplated upon by all of us who call ourselves Christians because what it says is fundamentally important as to how you and I are to go about being disciples of Jesus Christ in the world.
In simple, straight language it says that God's Love for you and me, for all humanity, does not depend on us qualifying by first meeting some criteria that God has set out, other than that we are God’s children.
As Saint Paul reminds us, the essential truth is that God doesn't ask you or me to get it “right” before God will love us. In our broken, selfish, sinful ways, God still pours out God's Love for you and me. You and I do not have to be perfect to be loved by God.
The question for you and me to ponder is this: How do you and I respond to the outpouring of unconditional Love and acceptance by God? Does our response to the Love of God move us to change our sinful ways? How do we love others?
You and I as Church, can bring forth new life and hope in Christ if you and I, like Jesus Christ, lead with unconditional love when we encounter others – especially those who challenge us to love them.
Like the way Jesus Christ showed us how to love, may you and I focus on healing rather than punishing, on teaching rather than condemning, on rebuilding rather than destroying.
Even as sinners, each of us is hopefully attempting to respond to God’s Love by trying to love like Jesus Christ, trying to be more holy, aiming to be saints.
If you and I are not responding to God’s Love with love, then let us figure out why that is, and use this time of Lent to get back on track and be more loving as God continues to love you and me.
As always, if there is anything we can do for you at UB Catholic campus ministry, please let me know. We are here for you.
May God bless you with Peace and All Good.
Fr. Greg