shocked by infinite love
"She ran off to Simon Peter and the other disciple (the one 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 "experience this 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 have looked upon and our hands have touched — we speak of the Word of life." —1 Jn 1:1
Praise: St. John's love for Jesus overtook fear (1 Jn 4:18) as he received the grace to stand at the foot of the cross and was able to share in the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017
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