The Inestimable size of God – 14 March 2021 4th Sunday Lent
In today’s gospel, Jesus uses one of the well-known biblical incidents from the Old Testament to make just one point, with something of a ‘Gospel in a nutshell’ approach: “God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
So, a boy asks his father: “What’s the size of God?”
The father looks up to the sky and seeing an airplane asks his son: “What’s the size of that airplane?”
The boy answers: “It’s very small. I can barely see it.”
The father then takes him to the airport and as they approach an airplane he asks: “And now, what is the size of this one?”
The boy answers: “Wow, daddy, this is huge!”
Then the father tells him: “God is like this. The size depends on the distance between you and God. The closer you are, the greater will God be in your life!”
Lent is a special season for contemplating the love of God. The drama of Jesus suffering and death on the cross is the drama of God’s ultimate closeness to us; it shows us how compassionate and loving the Father is.
As we heard in the first reading today, it was not only the people alone, but the heads of the priesthood who added their infidelity to infidelity. Time and again the messengers sent by God were ridiculed, and prophets were killed. The Temple was built to remind people of God’s love and that their God is still living in their midst.
St Paul in the second reading then makes it very clear that we are saved by faith, not because of our works, not by anything we have done or deserved, but through Jesus’ death on the cross. Contemplation of Jesus’ death of the Cross surely enlightens us on the true meaning of the Love of God.
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis says, “By acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration of fraternity.” The pope reminds us of God’s plan in sending His only Son into the world, to bring humanity out of its experience of sin. The cross restores human dignity and repairs the broken relationship between God and the people of God. It is an invitation to reconciliation.
Jesus in today’s gospel invites us, as he invited Nicodemus, to faith in Him. He was sent to us so that we might all live through Him.
A quote from an unknown writer, displayed in my house, inspires me, especially when it is hard for me to forgive someone: “I asked Jesus, ‘How much do you love me?’ And Jesus said, ‘This much.’ Then He stretched out His arms and died.” May it inspire you too.
Jesus’ love did not cease with his death on the cross. It continues every day, every moment, especially at every Eucharist.
Manoj Kunnath CSsR
© Majellan Media 2021