This Week's Homily - May 13, 2012

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By Deacon Jeff Mevissen
The First Letter of St. John says not only “God loves,” but “God is Love.” Then let us consider how God as Love has conquered all. We begin with how God conquered the Egyptians to free the Hebrews from slavery. God as Love conquers slavery.

The Hebrews were saved by the blood of a lamb when the angel of death passed over the homes marked with the blood of sacrifice. In the same way, we are saved by the blood of the Lamb of God: God as Love conquers death.

God so loved the world that he gave is only Son that whoever believes in him will be saved. God as love by the cross conquers sin. Peter and the Jews were surprised that the Holy Spirit was given to gentiles: God as Love pours out his Spirit on all people.

What about our experience that love conquers all? Once, I was very angry with one of my children. She looked up at me with the eyes of a puppy and said, “I’m sorry, Daddy.” What could I say? Love conquers anger and brings people together.

Today is Mother’s Day in the United States. As a reflection of God’s love, the love of a Mother endures through all hardship: Love is everlasting. In the Story of the Prodigal Son, the Father receives his son home even after the son had treated him very badly. The love of God looks past our offenses to see us a daughters and sons. God is Love and if we are of God then we must love one another as God has loved us.