PONDERING ON THE LOVE OF THE FATHER - 04/28/22 (Thursday of the Second Week of Easter)

John 3:32,34-36

32 He bears witness to what He has seen and heard, yet no one receives His testimony;

34 For He whom God has sent utters the words of God, for it is not by measure that He gives the Spirit; 35 the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.

For the full readings, click here: 

https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings

For more information on the Optional Memorial of St. Louis De Monfort, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/april-28-saint-louis-grignon-de-montfort-priest/

For more information on the Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chanel, click here:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/april-28-saint-peter-chanel-priest-and-martyr/

Blessed Thursday! As disciples of our Lord by virtue of our baptism, we have the duty to live our faith and preach the Word to many people through our words and deeds. However, like Jesus, we may also receive many oppositions and persecutions because the teachings of Christ and the Church do not conform to the ways of the world. How can we persevere in a life that is full of trials? Perhaps, it's important to ponder on the love of God the Father for His Only Begotten Son. 

Our Lord Jesus tells us that the Father loves Him. Although we cannot fully comprehend the mystery of the love of the Father towards His Son, we can reflect upon it and see how His love applies to our lives. God the Father loves His Son so much that even if He will be offended because of the sins of the world, He still sent Jesus to enter into our world for our salvation. The center of our inspirations should be to love Christ and to desire the conversion of sinners. Even when we are hurt because of the words that are thrown against us, our faith and our Church, let's keep loving them by praying for them. When we are discouraged to share the truth because of our fear that other people will be against us, may we examine our motivations and discern God's will. It is pleasing to our Lord if we seek His courage and if we remember that we are doing God's will because of our desire to bring more souls to eternal happiness, even if they do not understand it yet.

The Father gives everything to the Son. Our Father gave the whole world to Christ. He raises Him from the dead. Everything that the Father has, Jesus has as well because of the  union of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Because we are creatures and not God, we cannot imitate literally what the Father has done out of love for His Son. But, we can also give everything to Jesus. We can surrender our will to His will, so we only listen to His voice as to how we preach the truth and persevere in spiritual life. In this way, we can be fully devoted to our Lord. When we have worries because of the negative reactions of people about our faith, we can give all of our worries to Him and entrust all sinners to the heart of Christ. Jesus does not limit the Holy Spirit which He sends to us. However, the Spirit of God's Love will consume us in the measure of our self-surrender to Christ 

Let's ponder on whether our love for Jesus reflects the love He receives from the Father. Do we have the deep desire for the conversion of sinners? If we do not think seriously about this yet, Jesus is inviting us to be united to His will. He promises eternal life to people who are obedient to Him and His teachings. But, eternal damnation awaits those people who will consciously reject His commandments, graces and mercy. This is a real possibility, not just for us, but even with our loved ones and with all people. Let's discern God's will and surrender everything to Him as we pray for the conversion of sinners and spread the truth about Christ and the Catholic Church. 

 Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic