"god is love"
"In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as expiation for our sins." —1 John 4:10
God loved the world so much (see Jn 3:16) that He:
- created us,
- became a human being,
- died on the cross for us,
- rose from the dead for us,
- offers us a share in His divine nature through Baptism (2 Pt 1:4),
- forgives all our sins,
- makes it possible for us to be His sons and daughters,
- invites us to be members of His body, the Church,
- wants us to live in Him and He in us (see Jn 6:56),
- gives us His body and blood in Holy Communion,
- wants to make us a "royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Pt 2:9), and
- will return to take us to the perfect love and happiness of heaven.
God is indeed Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and there is no greater love than His perfect, infinite, unconditional, eternal love. "We love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). Therefore, let us live in His love (Jn 15:9-10) and love one another (1 Jn 4:7), especially our enemies. Let us love even to the point of laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 3:16). Remain in Love and remain in God (1 Jn 4:16).
Prayer: Father, on this Christmas day, give me "love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith." —1 Tm 1:5
Promise: "In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him." —1 Jn 4:9
Praise: St. Raymond encouraged: "As you drink the cup of the Lord Jesus (how glorious it is!), give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of all blessings."
Nihil Obstat: Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002