shocked by infinite love
"She ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved." —John 20:2
On this third day of Christmas, the Lord through His Church brings to our attention St. John, who has been customarily identified as the beloved disciple. The beloved disciple is nameless in John's Gospel, possibly to indicate that all Jesus' followers are beloved disciples.
When we realize that the Lord loves us personally, perfectly, infinitely, and unconditionally, we are:
- deeply rooted and securely grounded (Eph 3:17),
- affirmed and fulfilled,
- freed from fear (1 Jn 4:18),
- able to give this great love which we have received (1 Jn 4:19),
- able even to live in love and live in God (1 Jn 4:16), and
- willing to live totally and die sacrificially for the Lord and our brethren (see 1 Jn 3:16).
This Christmas season, let us receive much more of the love the Lord has always given us. The Lord cannot love us more, for He loves us infinitely. We, however, can better receive "the breadth and length and height and depth" of Christ's love and "know the love of Christ" (Eph 3:18-19). This Christmas, may you be rendered speechless by realizing you are loved by God Who is Love (see 1 Jn 4:8, 16).
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to utterly amaze me at the realization that Jesus died on the cross for me.
Promise: "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life." —1 Jn 1:1
Praise: St. John was Love's beloved disciple.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on God's Love on audio AV 8A-1 or video V-8A.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002