6 January, Saturday — Immeasurable Love of God

Saturday before Epiphany

1 Jn 5:5-13
Mk 1:6-11

“You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.”

In today’s Gospel, Mark is recounting the happenings of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan river by John the Baptist. John had quite a following then — some even thought he was the Messiah. He quickly corrected them and told them that “one is coming more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to kneel down and undo the strap of his sandals.”

This is significant because in those days, only the lowliest slave removed the sandals off the feet of his master. It is the dirtiest and lowliest job for a slave. Recall when Jesus said there is no one born of a woman greater than John (the Baptist); yet John is saying that he is not worthy of our Lord. He knows Jesus is the Son of God, and that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit!

Now read the verse, where God (the Father) spoke from the heavens: “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you.” Ponder these words for a moment. Really mull it over and meditate on them.

Do you get the significance of those words? Jesus, the Son of God, the Beloved. God the Father loves His only Begotten Son, without a doubt, without reservation. But He sent His only Son to bring salvation to us humans, who have turned our backs to God numerous times. God sent His only Son to die for our sins, to save us, to heal us and to reconcile us to God. How much love does God have for us? Can you wrap your head around that? Can you comprehend the love that God has for us? 

Mind blown. Awestruck. Amazed. Thankful. Extremely thankful.   

Brothers and sisters, I do not think there are any words sufficient to express the immensity of God’s love. But we can feel it, in our hearts and in our souls.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)

Prayer: Dearest Lord, the Beloved Son of our Heavenly Father, please keep us close to Your most merciful and sacred Heart.

Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Your most Beloved Son; to save us and to reconcile us to You so that we can become your adopted children.