“He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) Once again, the 40 days of Lent have come to an end and we find ourselves in the joyous days of the Easter Octave! Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Having just experienced the most sacred time of the year – the Triduum, we have again been drawn into the great mystery of God’s boundless love for each one of us personally. He loves me! He loves me so much that he suffered and died for me! How often we have heard these words. We know that they are true, and yet, do they really touch our hearts? Do we really comprehend what they mean?
Love awakens love…
Our founder, Father Kentenich, often stressed in his sermons and talks the fact that the saints began to be saints from the moment they realized they were loved. Isn’t this a profound truth? God’s love for us has the power to transform us, to heal our brokenness, to free us from ourselves, and to lead us to the heights of love and sanctity. We simply need to allow that love to fill us – to let him love us. Love awakens love. When you become aware of the fact that someone truly loves you, you can’t help but love them in return. This is also true in our relationship with God. The more we recognize, not just with our minds, but with our hearts, the truth that God loves us – deeply loves us – the more our love for him will grow and bear fruit in our lives.
…And trust
Recognizing God’s love for us is also an essential step on our vocational journey. When we really believe that the Father loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die on the cross for us, then our trust in his plan for our lives will grow. Someone who loves us with such a boundless love can only possibly want the very best for us. We don’t need to be afraid that his plan will lead us away from happiness. He wants our happiness more than we do. After all, true love always wants only the best for the beloved.
Therefore, surrender to his love, let his love embrace you. Take the time during these Easter days to reflect on his personal love for you. He loved me and gave himself up for me! (c.f. Galatians 2:20) As you open your heart to his love, you will find yourself searching more honestly for the answer to the question, “How can I best love him in return? Where and how can I give my all for him here on earth, so that I can love him perfectly for all eternity?” You can be sure that he will show you the way.