The Incarnation of the Father’s Love by Fr. Joseph Evinger
The greatest event that has ever happened in the history of humanity is the Incarnation. God becomes one of us. God becomes a human being.
God is love, St. John says in his first letter. Thus when God becomes man it is Love himself becoming flesh. Jesus is the visible and tangible image of the Father’s love to us and for us. Without Jesus we cannot comprehend the unfathomable love of God.
As we celebrate Holy Week we see the Father’s love made present to us. On Holy Thursday Jesus offers himself to us as food and drink so that we might have life within us. Love Incarnate is offered to us so that we may become capable of and agents of true love, mercy, and forgiveness.
On Good Friday Jesus freely offers himself in his passion and death on the cross as the victim and priest of love. He is murdered because of hatred, yet he prays to the Father that those who hate him may be forgiven, that they might know love. Appearing to be a criminal he converts the criminal next to him (Luke 23:43). Appearing to be dead, his death, his love till death brings forth life. The incarnation of the Father’s love brings forth life into the world. The Church is born from the side of Christ as the blood and water come forth. The heavenly temple of Christ’s body, Love Incarnate waters and brings life to the whole world. To you. To me.
The incarnation of the Father’s love is made present to us at every Mass in the Holy Eucharist. May you and I ever drink of this fountain of life so that we may live the beautiful vocation to which God has called us.