In many ways those lines are a beautiful summary of the Easter message, and one could hardly find a passage more pregnant with meaning upon which to reflect and pray. And so that we might not twist, miss, or water down the fullness of Mercy and Forgiveness promised in this passage, the author of JOHN goes on to say, "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." A consequence of this truth is that, since God loves us no matter what, everyone will eventually be saved. Does that sit well with you? If not, why? Was this not the universal Good News proclaimed by the Apostles and first disciples, the Gospel which caused them to be persecuted, hunted down, imprisoned, and even killed for their message of universal amnesty on the part of a God Who is best defined as Love? In the passage from the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about one of the few times when these first evangelizers were miraculously rescued from prison, so that they might continue their preaching and teaching. But, more than their words, it was the example of their lives and their willingness to give their lives for others that brought about the rapid spread of Christianity. That is no less true today. As disciples we are all called to proclaim the Gospel by the way we live our lives, using words only when necessary. Can each of us say in all honesty what the Psalmist proclaims in our Entrance Antiphon: "I will be a witness to you in the world, O Lord, I will spread the knowledge of your name among my brothers and sisters, alleluia?" Then and only then are we truly Easter people! A fitting conclusion to our prayer today is the Responsorial Psalm (THE LORD HEARS THE CRY OF THE POOR), beginning with "I will bless the Lord at all times," and ending with, "Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the one who takes refuge in God." |