09/15/13 The Logic of Love

Homily from the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

"When I mention this, that God loves some people more than others, why did I bring that up? Because it's the test: Which son am I? If, when I mention this, that God loves some people more than He loves others, not affectively but effectively, when I said that, did it cause you to be fearful? 'Maybe He doesn't love me?' 'Maybe I've lost His Love.' 'Maybe He's ashamed of me.' 'Maybe He's not proud of me.' Well, then you're the younger son. If the idea that God loves some people more than others makes you afraid, then maybe you are the younger son. Then the thing you need to hear is no, no, no, no, no, the Father rejoices in your presence. The Father rejoices when you come to Him. The Father rejoices in you. If it was one of those things when you heard that God loves some people more than others, if it made you feel kind of resentful, 'Typical. That's how it always goes, someone loves other people more than they love me.' Maybe you are the older son. And what you need to hear is this same kind of thing, this reality, this truth that actually right now, in this place, in this Mass, the Father loves you exactly how much you need, not how much you deserve. He doesn't prefer anyone to you, He loves you in a completely unique way. Because He is infinite, He can do this. ...I invite you to just let this sink into your heart: God has never loved anyone like He loves you."

Mass Readings from September 15, 2013:
Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-32