God's Love

It’s often said that the reading that we heard today from John, especially John 3:16, is the Gospel within the Gospel.  It summarizes the good news that we hear.  It reads, “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.”

Commentators often say that it tells us at least two things.  The initiative in our relationship with God comes from God; not us, we don’t cause it to happen.  God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.  Secondly, the relationship is based on love.  We sometimes have negative images of God – that God is looking to catch us in our mistakes or in our sins.  God is relating to us based on His love – not His desire to punish.

So we hear the good news today, that God loves us and wants to save us.

Monsignor Daniel Hoye