A Jesuit Catholic University
in Omaha, Nebraska, since 1878

[281] Acts 12:24-13:5a Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6+8 John 12:44-50

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer The Daily Reflections

“I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” – John 12:47

The central part of Christ’s revelation of the heart of God is/was the astounding idea of God as Love.  That Love, vast, deep, and joyful, was so very different from the God of the Old Testament (punishing, testing, unreachable, and majestic).  Christ redefined how we see God.  In revealing God as Love - agapic, selfless love - Christ issued a gentle challenge to all people.  This challenge is immensely more difficult and foreign to us than trying to emulate the God often portrayed in the Old Testament.  Striving to love unconditionally, to hold back from judging or condemning others, takes a superhuman effort (perhaps an impossible task?).  I say it’s impossible, but only insofar as we try to do it on our own.  Unconditional love is not possible on our own and, even with the Grace and guidance of God, it is nearly impossible to always be in that state of receiving others. 

I have found it easy to be overly critical of myself in life, focusing on my failures and shortcomings in being a vessel for that Love to other people I encounter daily.  However, at heart, I don’t think that self-criticism is the proper response to being imperfect channels of Love.  In reality, I think God asks us to just keep trying, never giving up, and always striving hopefully and joyfully towards that goal of being Love daily, moment by moment.  That is something worth working for, worth living for, and, so long as we do not simply settle ourselves into the complacency of an unexamined life, we have not failed ourselves.  God is always calling and always sending that Grace (a helping hand) our way, we just have to keep trying to get up and walk.