Homily: Feast of John Neuman
Feast of John Neuman (1 John 4: 11-18) “Is God in Love with Me?”
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear.” How firmly do we believe this? We talk about the unconditional love of God, but how many of us buy into this?
Most of the Christian teaching we receive tends to lead us in the opposite direction. We believe in earning our salvation. We sense that if we do good things God will love us, but if we sin then God will turn away. That is not unconditional love. But it is a very conditional kind of love.
In a way we think this way because we don’t like getting anything for nothing. We can think about how we react when someone gives us a Christmas gift that we were not expecting. A simple thank you is usually not enough of a response. No, we probably go out and buy something for them or we look forward to next year when we can give our unexpected benefactor a gift in return.
The other thing that we like to feel is that we have given more than those who have given to us. We like to have a sense of superiority over others. We could say that is the same way with our Christian life. We like to be in a situation where we can say that we have been more virtuous than our neighbor or that we have done more charity than others. We feel better about ourselves by critiquing others.
We can’t win these games with God. God always gives us more than we will ever be able to give back and that makes us a little uncomfortable. We usually concentrate on what is wrong with our life and that makes us feel like God owes us something.
The thing that is hardest for us to understand is that God loves and keeps loving us no matter how sinful we are. God brought us into existence for one purpose. God wanted to have another person to love. If we return the love God is probably very pleased. If we don’t God will not stop loving us. This is Christian teaching. But how often do we hear it? John’s letter proclaims this with conviction. Perhaps that teaching is the greatest gift of all. Because as John says love casts out fear and no one likes to be afraid all the time.
Reflection Questions?
- How do I try to earn God’s love? How am I doing?
- When I sin do I feel that God forgives easily? What prevents me from believing this?
Dear Parishioners,
The outreach that we have on social media has been very important the last two years. I have tried to give a reflection most days and I am glad there are some people that do read what I write. We also have Mass on social media on Wednesday mornings and Saturday afternoons. There are quite a few people who watch those Masses on Facebook. Some parishes have stopped doing such things because they feel rightly that Mass is meant to be celebrated in person. Liturgy, at its best engages the senses. The sound of the music, the taste of the host and cup, the feeling of being on our knees, the sight of stained glass are all things that uplift our spirits.
In the new year we hope to update our WEB page. We have had the same look for a long time. This will cost us a few thousand dollars. If you appreciate what we are doing and are benefitting from it, you can help with a donation. Just mail it to us or drop your donation in a white envelop marked WEB page. We will use those monies towards our efforts to keep our social media up to date. Another thing I would ask you to do is to forward content to others. In this way we boost our influence on social media.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark