God loves us and He continually pours out love to all of creation
As Christians, we are told early on that God is love. That is a catchy phrase, but what does it mean to each of us? What does it mean that God is love?
As we celebrate the Holy Trinity this weekend, we acknowledge one God in three persons, loving and begetting creation out of love. Think of how we describe the three persons of the blessed Trinity: the Creator, our Savior and the Paraclete.
Notice how love is involved in each of the three persons of the Blessed Trinity and in their relations with one another. The creator is the giver of all of the universe, not because it’s a duty or a responsibility, but because it is the fruit of love within the Trinity. If we look all around us, where and how we live and who we are are the fruits of the love of our creator and all the persons of the Trinity. For those of us who have children or have nurtured life in another, we see how love can create new life. It is the fruit of love that brings forth new life, and we are sustained by the fruit of love. Remember the times that we have chosen to bring about new life, either in having children and nurturing them or befriending another human being and committing to their well-being. The breath of the Blessed Trinity is breathed into us, so we mimic the love with which we were created.
Jesus, another of the persons of the Trinity, is our savior. His love is poured out in generous self sacrifice for others. Throughout the days of His earthly life, He noticed those who were less fortunate or who were persecuted; He made sure that they knew that He stood with them and loved them. He challenged them as He challenges us today, to be more like Him as we generate love through acts of self sacrifice. Remember times when we have chosen to give of ourselves for another human being, especially those who have nothing to give back, and remember how right it felt to love in that way. Love begets love.
God has given us the presence of the Holy Spirit as our guide through life. The Holy Spirit is a source of wisdom and understanding, of right judgment and courage. The presence of the Holy Spirit brings about a sense of awe in the presence of the holy. When we need to take a moment to step back from a decision and consider it more carefully, we are given the gift of prudence through the Holy Spirit. When we have those moments in life where we are unsure of how to be the presence of love in the world, the Holy Spirit enlightens us and gives us new eyes and ears and a deeper heart.
We have been conceived in love, bathed in love and assured that we will rest in love. God’s presence is with us always, and God will never abandon us. When Jesus lived on the earth, the Scriptures relate that He frequently needed to go off by Himself and pray. He needed to deepen, strengthen and renew His relationship within the Holy Trinity and be able to continue to act out of love.
Many of us may consider the Trinity to be a mystery, yet we understand the power of love in relationship as it pours out to others. Imagine that the God who loves us is a God who continually pours out love to all of creation. This might be a good time for us to renew our commitment to love in the world. How many times did Jesus tell us to love others as we have been loved by Him? Let us do what He asks us to do.
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
