30 April 2014
Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter
Optional Memorial of Saint Pius V, Pope
John 3:16 – what good news!
God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
John continues in verse 17:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
True, some of the things we do – the patterns of behavior, of vice, of sin – have no place in God’s coming Kingdom. Yet, even though our actions might deservedly bring us condemnation, condemnation was not the reason the Father sent the Son.
The Father sent the Son to save us.
“But, Lord,” we might say in our prayer, “Surely, I don’t deserve to be in your presence! My sins are great.” All true, which makes God’s exorbitantly loving and free act of salvation – the sending of the Son to save us – so wondrous and beautiful a mystery and gift.
Taking to heart the weight of this marvelous and perfect love for the human race, who could freely remain in sin?