Homily

When I was younger, I had the hardest time wrapping my brain around the idea that God loved me before I loved God. I think that somewhere deep inside I figured that I had to show love in order to get love. I had to be that lovable person before I could receive love. My love, my care, my decision to love God was what was most important. Then as I got a little older, I realized that everything I had, all the abilities I could do, all the people I knew were all made possible only through God’s love. So, I have since concluded that God’s love is most important. I now understand that God’s love preceded mine and that my belief that my love was the most important was simply arrogance and ignorance.

So instead of rejoicing in our own personal greatness, let us rejoice in the reality that God chose to love us before we loved him. He did so freely and without reservation. God loves you. Do you believe it? God loves you. He still loves you today. Right now. God loves you. God loved you before you ever knew what it meant to love. He didn’t wait until you figured it out. He didn’t wait until you deserved it and got your life straightened out. He didn’t wait until you made a personal dedication to him. God loved you even when you stopped loving him.

Why did he do this? It is his nature. God is love. He told us all these things so that we may be able to rejoice all the more in this fact. He wants his love, his joy to be in us. He desires that our lives be full and complete. No amount of possessions will make our joy complete. But, God can do that. You want joy and love? Abandon your heart in the love of God. Let him take over and then you will find real love and joy.