HOMILY OF FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
[LAETARE SUNDAY]
2 Chronicles 36:14-16.19-23, Eph 2:4-10, John 3:14-21.
THEME: SEARCHING LOVE OF GOD
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:1-15.
Salvation is of God. It is the fruit of God’s love for the world. Sending his Son our Lord Jesus Christ into the world was an act of his own self-will. Moreover, man from creation has been noted for rebellion, but God for who he is cannot count man’s iniquity. Or else, no one would survive.
However, God did not create anyone to be destroyed or condemned. Rather, he made us that we may be his forever. Those who stand condemned are those who chose to reject the special love of God; those who think they are irredeemable.
Unfortunately, the father of lies who lure people away from God always cast shadow of darkness upon man’s soul that, man often find it difficult to recognize his faults so as to return back to God.
God is searching. He is searching for his children; those who are ready to enter his joy. He is not searching to punish the offenders, but to bring them back to himself. How we define him determines our level of closeness to him. He is not a tyrant. He is not an angry God. He is a loving Father. He bids us, come back to me.
May our hearts be open to embrace the merciful love of God, that we may gain express access to his beautiful presence. Amen.
