NAMING GRACE IN THE DOMESTIC CHURCH
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact

For God so loved the world

6/11/2017

Comments

 
Holy Trinity Sunday: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/061117.cfm
When she doesn’t get her way, our sweet two-year-old, Elin Faith, flings herself to the ground, screams at the top of her lungs, and pounds her fists. Eventually, after her face has turned beet red and her cries have resolved to whimpers, her body limps. Early on, her mom and dad tried reasoning (good luck with a two-year-old!) and cajoling (not so much), but to no effect. Now, during a tantrum, they wisely walk away, or step around, Elin, until she has finished her fit. Then mom or dad scoop her up and lovingly hold her until she’s ready to join the family. Unfortunately, when asserting her own way, Elin has no idea she “condemns” herself to a miserable time instead of enjoying the friendship of her sister and the love and comfort of her parents. She does not realize the cost of her resistance.
On Holy Trinity Sunday, we reflect on God’s actions in the world through the Trinity. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” God created the world as a loving Father, who remains invested in our salvation. When humanity chose its own way—condemning ourselves—God refused to condemn us. Instead, out of compassion, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to redeem the world. This ongoing love of the Father and Son flows through the Spirit, who continually invites us to accept God’s love and follow God’s will. But we are often stiff-necked, flinging ourselves to the ground, refusing God’s mercy and kindness for days, years, even a lifetime.
 
How often have I condemned myself, and my entire household, to a miserable afternoon because I was angry the house wasn’t cleaned my way? How often have I condemned myself and my husband to a lousy time when I was angry and ruined what was to be a great evening? How often have I condemned myself to gloom because I was disappointed in life instead of appreciating God’s gifts before me?
 
As parents/grandparents, we name grace—God’s saving presence—by modeling God as a loving parent. “God desires only good for you and His will is for our happiness.” “We must take good care of the beautiful earth and each person in it, for God so loves the world.” “No matter how much you fuss, we will not allow you to behave contrary to your own good.” Parents name grace each time they attend Mass, blessing themselves in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching their children of God’s eternal love through the Trinity.
 
When discussing the many reasons for the decline in church affiliation, one of my compassionate daughters remarked, “But mom, don’t you think God is doing everything He can to bring in as many people into Heaven as possible?” So true, honey. There is no greater proof of God’s desire for our salvation than John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” God never condemns, yet we resist salvation and happiness by rejecting God’s love—God’s gifts. But even when we insist on going our own way, the Spirit perpetually attempts to lead us back to the truth of who we are as the Father’s beloved, redeemed by His Son. Now, that’s good news!
 
When have you “condemned” yourself?
 
How has Jesus redeemed you?
 

 
 
 
 
 
Comments

    Reflections

    The blog on this page presents reflections on the Sunday readings through the lens of a parent/grandparent, aiding leaders of the domestic church in their vital task as “first heralds” or “first preachers” of the Good News in the home.

    VIEW FAVORITES

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Naming Grace
  • Message
  • Favorites
  • Events & Videos
  • Contact