FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
John 3:16-3:16
A young man made an announcement to his family and friends that he wanted to quit his job and join the seminary to study to become a priest.
His parents were caught by surprise asking, “Tommy, are you sure that is what you want to do?”
His sister comments, “Tommy, are you crazy or something? You had a good education; you have a wonderful job, and a bright future. You are a successful professional, why are you throwing it all away?”
His friend also pulled him aside and asked, “Tommy, are you sure about what you are doing? Are you sure you want to become a priest?”
Tommy said that he was so surprised at their reactions. He said, “I have a cousin who had an abortion and two children out of weddlock. And no one in the family called her aside and questioned her. Here I want to become a priest and everyone is questioning my decision.
BELIEVE IN GOD
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This Feast of the Holy Trinity calls us back to the core value of our faith. We believe in the Trinitarian God. Our faith is Trinitarian.
- We believe in God, the Father the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
- We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.
This is the identity of our God. We are baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. The Church baptizes us in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of the Church’s liturgical celebrations, we always bless ourselves with the the Holy Trinity. When we enter the church, we bless ourselves with the Holy Trinity.
It is important that we believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. But it is more important that we believe in the Trinitarian God who loves us.
“For God So Loved the World that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
GOD LOVED THE WORLD
To believe means to think that something is true, correct or real.
To believe in something is to be certain that it exists.
To believe in someone means to trust what that person is saying or doing is true.
Do you believe that God loves the world?
Do you believe that God loves you?
In the last two weeks the world witness two natural disasters. The cyclone Nargis in Myanmar took 78,000 lives. The earthquake in China took about 55,000 lives. Millions of people are left homeless.
A young man asks me, “Father, if God loves the world, why did He let it happen? Why did so many innocent people have to die in such a natural disaster?”
I do not know the answer. We do not know the answer. No one knows the answer. It is not appropriate for us to question God’s will, but it is important for us to believe in the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John today,
“For God So Loved the World that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
Out of love, God created the universe. Out of love, God created Adam and Eve and from them, the human family continues. Though Adam and Eve failed, God continues to love them and their descendants. God used Moses to liberate them from slavery. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us and to save us from eternal damnation. Of course God wants us to have a good life here on earth, but the earthly life is not the purpose of God’s love. The purpose of God’s love for us is eternal life in heaven.
Eternal Life
Jesus died a tragic death. But he has been raised from the dead. He has won the victory over death. Because of what he has done, we know that death is no longer the final event of our lives. We know that because Jesus lives we shall live also. There is life after death.
Last Wednesday a hospice care person came to the office asking me to visit Gene Skennion. He said, “Father, Mr. Gene Skennion is dying of cancer. He is going to be moved into hospice care. The doctor gives him about two weeks to live. He would like you to hear his confession and give him the last rite.”
I was busy that day with staff meeting and marriage preparation. But after the 7 O’clock Benediction, though I was tired, I felt an urge to go visit Mr. Skennion. So I called. His son answered the phone. And he said he was not at home at the time and could not be back until 9 p. m. He asked if I could come and visit his dad the next day. Normally I would agree and said yes. But that evening, I just insisted I wanted to come and see his father. So I went to visit. Mr. Skennion answered the door and invited me in. He was at home alone. We talked a long talk. Though he had been away from church for a long time; he said he was still Catholic in his heart. He made a very good confession. I gave him the absolution, the last rite with Apostolic absolution and Holy Communion. Before I left, I also gave him a rosary.
The next morning, I received a call from his ex-wife informing that Gene Skennion died early that morning. I was stunned. It was a miracle of God’s love. God loved that man so much that he used me as His instrument to save his soul.
““For God So Loved the World that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
Rev. John Kha Tran
Houston, TX