“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.” – John 3:16
I PREACHED about love last Pentecost Sunday—a revolution of love that the world urgently needs in these times of violence, hatred, and terror. I told people that we need to invoke the power of the Holy Spirit to melt people’s hearts to learn to forgive and to let go of hatred and division.
All the violence and terror that are happening in the world come from the evil one. We need God to intervene by allowing the Holy Spirit to fill the world with love. We need His warriors—the saints and angels—to fight the forces of the devil. We can’t allow the evil one to win; we can’t succumb to defeat.
St. Paul’s words in the second reading of this Sunday’s Mass are relevant to us today: “Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.”
In the midst of the insurmountable terror that we are experiencing in the world, we need to proclaim the God that we believe, a “merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” We pray that all religions of the world would foster in their communities and in the hearts and minds of their members this image of God.
We must all be warriors of peace and love, not warriors of hatred. Makers of superhero movies even spread this message. In the end, it is love that would conquer the world. It is only the love of God, as seen and interpreted in Scriptures, that would defeat His enemy.
Let’s not allow fear to overtake our lives. We have the God of love on our side. Instead, let our actions in every place that we live and travel show our desire for the well-being of all people.
Let’s start with smiles on our faces and genuine concern for humanity. Let’s promote this revolution of love in the internet and social media. Let’s keep preaching it in our churches, temples, and synagogues. After all, we are all children of the One God.
Let all Christians lead the way of promoting God’s love and peace, which the life of the Trinity manifests As the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are one in love, let’s all promote unity and solidarity among all nations, races, and creeds.
And let’s start in our homes, schools, workplaces, cities, and towns. For, indeed, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
Let the love of the Father and the Son, which the Holy Spirit personifies, ablaze in our hearts so that we can all be instruments of love, peace, and justice. Amen!
