Dear brothers and sisters, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
IncredibIe Love
The mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ is a great act of God’s love to humanity as the Scripture says, “for God so loved the world that he sent his only son into the world” (Jn. 3:16). The divine act of God’s love was epitomized in the Paschal Mystery, the sacrifice of the cross, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This love of God is more perceptible to individuals and persons who believe and profess this mystery. This is one of the messages that Jesus was passing across when he told His disciples, “the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God.” This statement is true and profound and applies to us too. It is a thing of joy and beauty to know from Jesus Christ that God loves us and cares for us and that we are secure in God’s love. We, therefore, need to remain committed and faithful in appreciation to God for His incredible love. It is important to note that this divine love will never turn its back on us, even in our unfaithfulness and weariness. God is always faithful (2 Tim 13).
Abide in Jesus
Believing in this inexhaustible love of God gives us the freedom and the courage to ask for whatever we need and trust that God would grant it to us. It makes us also abide in Jesus Christ. And if we abide in Jesus Christ and believe in Him, He abides in us. Jesus assures his disciples and indeed every one of us, “if you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you” (Jn. 15:7).
This invitation to pray and petition to God in the name of Jesus is reechoed in today’s gospel, “Amen amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.” Christ underscores the importance and necessity of prayer here. As Christians, let us follow our Lord’s injunction and be prayerful to improve and strengthen our relationship with God.
Defend the Faith
Our faith in the love of God as manifested in the Incarnation and Paschal Mystery of our Lord does not only make us ask God for favors but also makes us defenders and witnesses to God’s love. Paul, Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila defended and testified to the love of God and our salvation in Jesus Christ as we read in the first reading. Following in their footsteps, we should go about speaking eloquently about God’s love, teaching with authority, and bearing witness to the crucifixion, resurrection, divine and human nature of Jesus Christ, and refuting opinions and teachings to the contrary.
Always remember that Jesus loves you!
