If it’s not love, tell me what’s it?

Rev. Marcel Divine Emeka Okwara, CSsR

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year B

St. Gerard Majella Church

March 15, 2015

 Psalm 8: 4 asks the question: “What is man that you O Lord should be mindful of him?” Job asks: “What is man that you magnify him, and that you are concerned about him?” (Job 7:17). Considering the vastness of the universe, why does God, as it were, chain himself to us? Jesus answers these questions in John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” 

On this 4th Sunday of Lent, we are reminded once again of the greatest merciful act shown by God. We are reminded again why God gave us Jesus Christ. He did so because he loves us.  For centuries God was calling and inviting humanity to a relationship of love. He used different means, especially through the prophets to invite us to a covenantal relationship. God was very patient with us. To further demonstrate his deep love for us, he sent us a Perfect Gift, his Son who’s going to love us for life just as God does. Jesus came to us, not to condemn us, not to tell us how miserable and horrible we have been. He came not to write us off, but to offer his love, God’s love to us. He came to us, not as a stumbling block, but as the only perfect Way to salvation. Today’s Gospel tells us that all we need to do is just believe in him. 

There are so many beautiful verses in Scripture, but John 3:16 is the reason why we have those verses. John 3:16 is the entire gospel in a nutshell. It sums up God’s nature, God’s plan and God’s intention. God is love. God is offering us redemption. God wants us to be redeemed. While we were still sinners and unlovable God reached out to us. He did not love us because we are perfectly upright. His love for us is a decision; it is not condition based.

God’s love is not conditional. It is unconditional love. But for us, our love is condition based: “I love my dad because he gives me everything I want.” “I love my son because he is obedient and respectful.” God loves us not because we are amazingly spotless or righteously perfect. He loves us out of sheer love; he loves us because he chooses to. This is the type of love that won’t let go its object of love. He chose to love us despite who we are.  God loves us whether we are junkyard wrecks or showroom models.

In the Scripture, we read of Hosea who remained tied to his unfaithful wife Gomer. Despite the infidelity of Gomer, who was jumping from one bed to another with different men, Hosea continued to love her (This perfectly explains God’s love for us). Hosea’s love for Gomer is the type of love described in John 3:16.  God’s love is less affection, and more of a decision; less of a feeling, more of an action. Jesus did not love in order to get something from us, but to give everything of himself to us. He emptied himself to us and for us!

Brethren, our goodness cannot win God’s love. Our sinfulness cannot lose it either. But we can resist it! God loves us with an unexplainable love. You cannot win it by being winsome; and cannot lose it by being a loser. But we may be blind to resist it. No matter what you have done or said, God loves you still. When the most despicable things are done, some people tend to think that they have lost the friendship of God. You cannot lose the love of God. You cannot wear him out. Our God is ageless, so you cannot lose him. Our God is sinless, so you cannot corrupt him. If He can make a billion galaxies, he can make good out of you. You cannot win his love by being winsome, or lose it by being a loser or a failure. But you can resist his love. 

Do you feel left out, abandoned and rejected? Think John 3:16. Are you lonely and alone? Remember John 3:16. Do you feel unloved and unlovable? Remember John 3:16. To the demoted and demeaned, remember John 3:16. If you have been kicked out as Pluto was bumped out by a Committee of scientists for what they called “not meeting the solar system standard” remember John 3:16. Have you been voted out because of worldly standards? Consider John 3:16. If you feel inferior and excluded, just think of John 3:16. If past life is hunting you, remember John 3: 16. If you are carrying the guilt of the past, thinking that God is mad at you, remember John 3: 16. If you have lost everything including friends, consider John 3:16. To those who are greatly discouraged by what they experience and by what they see, think John 3:16. It is the numbers of hope. It is the numbers of assurance and confidence. God’s love is amazing. He does not love you because of what you have done, and he is not going to unlove you because of what you have done. God’s love is amazing, but it is real and true. His love explains why he sent Jesus! His love explains why Jesus came! His love explains why Jesus endured so much humiliation and a shameful death! His love explains why God claims you when others demote you.

Be lovely and lovable!