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WOF Radio > Sermons > Sermon Archive for 2012 > Sermon 592 : Love Both Conditional and Unconditional : 6th Sunday of Easter

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Sermon 592 : Love Both Conditional and Unconditional : 6th Sunday of Easter

5/13/2012

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We are often mistaken in thinking that we have to love God in order for God to love us. That's not the case. God doesn't need our love; his love for us is unconditional. But in order to get more out of God's love, we have to give it away. The more we give, the more we have - "a delightful stream of grace" that spreads joy among us.

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Comments

Carla

I asked myself, "Have I ever seen the kiss of the feet, go to the kiss of the hands, then go to the kiss of the mouth?" I've see it in the priests, as they give unconditionally through their service saying masses. I also have seen it once with the Religious Ed. Director, as she turned to cut off, re-direct and continously compliment the pastor (until he left) as he was angrily speaking to a large group of Religious Ed teachers.

If I hear you correctly, you are talking about the presence of the grace to show love, even when it should be difficult?

One important factor should be considered Father Barron. A priest can kill a person spiritually. He can be so undeservedly demanding and hurtful, even to the point of misleading into sin. I never try to approach someone who is trying to hurt me or kill me. I stay away from them, and I'm afraid of them.

That is an innate uncontrollable response God gives us, for a reason.

5/9/2012 1:59:39 PM

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tVM

Several weeks ago, a friend came to me in need. Without hesitation, I told him I would help him. He countered with what he would do for me in return. I explained that I would help him unconditionally, that is, I help you because you are my friend and I expect nor want anything in return. His response specifically results from your statement that we teach our children 'conditional love.' "If you get good grades, I will do this..." "If you eat your supper, I will do that..." We too often teach our children that good things -- and love is the best thing -- come conditionally. I wish I had learned about and understood conditional and unconditional love about 40 years ago when I began raising the first of our four children. I'm pleased to say they are good people, but I want them to teach my grandchildren about unconditional love. Thanks for your continued work on behalf of humankind. tVM

5/9/2012 6:06:55 PM

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John

Thank you for being such a strong vine for me through Jesus Christ!

5/10/2012 9:45:16 AM

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Carla

I wanted to point out something that I have heard over and over again that I believe is wrong. I keep hearing that "God is in no need of our love. He needs nothing from us." I don't believe that. Why? If we are made in God's image and likeness, and if it is important that we have, and show to others, faith, hope and love, then why wouldn't
that be important to God, also? I believe that God needs and wants our love, just as much as we need and want His love, and that it is a reciprocal relationship. The grace that God showed, to love us, even after he was crucified, was an act of free will. God made the choice to love, and it was not forced. I believe that if we are made in God's image and likeness, that God wants to feel our love, just as we want to feel His love.

5/10/2012 12:05:52 PM

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angel

Carla
Although God wants our love because it is best for us to love, He does not need our love precisely because He is God and He is not in need of anything. We are creatures and in need of everything. It is important to God that we love Him but that does not translate into needing it. He wants what is best for us so that He wants us to know HIM, love Him and serve Him. God is Love so that I do not think He has to make a choice about loving and not loving. I do not think He has to make a choice on anything because He is Perfect and all knowing.
God bless.

5/10/2012 4:10:25 PM

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Joseph G. Sandoval

It seems to me that God does not NEED our love but that he desires for us to love him and to remain in him. He gave his own Son so that we would be free--an act of love freely and unconditionally given. However, if we are to remain in that love we must keep his commandments--the first being the love shown to him with our whole might, strength, and heart and then our neighbor as ourselves. But that is where our free will comes in. We are made in God's image and we become part of his likeness as we approach acting like-God in his likeness. Returning that love freely to him and manifesting it to others unconditionally. The relationship between the unconditional and conditional is not easy to comprehend because of our human limitations--Thanks be to God!

5/11/2012 2:57:22 PM

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anonymous

Hey Carla, between you and me (and probably 1/2 the world) i stay away from almost all of them, except for 1 who is retired? (do any of them retire?) and only because he's a rare priest... easy to love.

Fr. Barron is easy to talk to, he never talks back.

5/11/2012 8:03:27 PM

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vito benigno

Thank you Father Barron,How often i got this key doctrine of HOLY Mother Church wrong!I get it.If we as a people of GOD do not release HIS Grace back into the world,our Lord does not remain in us.Iam ashamed to say,how often i wasted his grace.thank you! MI Immaculata

5/12/2012 8:09:38 AM

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Lianne Lyne

Our priests have been chosen by God.You did not choose me I chose you.Without them,our sacraments of grace,forgiveness,Jesus Himself .the Holy Eucharist,annointing for death.to name just 3.would not exist.God strengthens us in His love through His grace transmitted through His chosen shepherds.Love them.Thank God for them and if they are not to your liking then pray to Him for more.

5/12/2012 11:41:48 AM

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Carla

Anonymous-Fr. Barron does talk back, he gives feedback and answers questions....try asking him a question then following him and listening carefully. He will aswer you…maybe not in a way that you expect, but he answers.

I grew up without a physical father being there. God is my father and I've always gone to Him in thanksgiving, prayer and sacrifice. With regard to the physical presence of priests, am I really that trusting and that slow, to take sooo long to figure out that the relationship between the priest and parishioner is probably one of mostly punishment? I know that Father Barron has encouraged us all to cooperate with those graces, but does it have to be so difficult?

Parish life is very different than the blogging paternal relationship-it's mission territory where my Parish is located. Anything and everything happens here, between priests and parishioners, and we are suppose to just take it, and take it, without complaining, and without running away. Frankly, I prefer the distance I have always known with God. With a bloggers distance, at least Fr. Barron hasn't yelled at me when I've done something nice (in the last decade I’ve learned the meaning of good intentions are a road paved to hell.) Fr. Barron hasn't made any demands or threats, he hasn't intentionally embarrassed me, he hasn't purposefully made me cry in mass, he hasn't called me into the office and questioned me for very long periods of time, he hasn't sent his secretary or others after me, he hasn't told me to check in, to tell him where I'm going, and when I'll return, he hasn't tried to control my prayer life, he hasn't flattened any of my tires to punish me, he hasn't directed me to lie to anyone (which I couldn't do even if he asked), he hasn't dismissed me as a punishment for not following his directions, Fr. Barron hasn't interfered with my parenting, and punished my kids harshly, he hasn't just "appeared" while I'm away on vacation....Fr. Barron doesn't make me afraid, and doesn't cause me to have a stomach ache, or shake uncontrollably when I see his chalice.

I’m not a bad person and I try really hard in life to do what is right. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful or uncharitable, but at times it’s been too difficult to grow in grace when I and other parishioners are asking “Am I in trouble again?”

Thank you Father Barron! Thank you for not overwhelming or scaring me. Yes, I do appreciate the distant, blogging, paternal relationship. It has provided a necessary retreat from the demands of Parish relations.

5/12/2012 1:42:47 PM

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anonymous

hi carla,

I’m sorry for any misunderstanding; i really didn't mean any harm. I learn a lot from Fr. Barron.

i have recently come to an awakening that i have been living in this perfectly naïve or gullible place discovering how naïve I really am. It’s hurtful. I don’t like the questioning i am having.

what you convey in your comment is a small example of why i keep distance. Most of anything I do is done in secret. I like it that way, I think it’s my way of refusing to cooperate and yet still participate.

I’m done now… Let's pray for each other.

5/12/2012 8:43:16 PM

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Carla

Dear Anonymous,

No harm done. I understood your comments completely, and can relate to your naivity and your retired priest comment. When I'm afraid, I'll stick with the easy to talk to, retired priest.
I think it's good to talk about it-there is nothing worse than feeling hurt, scared and stuck. Yes, I'll pray for you too.

5/13/2012 1:59:41 PM

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monica

I see human love as music.
If I want to play the violin and make beautiful music to enjoy sharing it with others; It takes discipline to get there. The commandments are mystical discipline. They teach us how to love.

5/13/2012 8:57:48 PM

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Loren

Carla,

I truly sympathize with your situation. In fact, I'm sort of disturbed by what you have to endure so far. Have you done anything to resolve this? God does NOT ask you to be silent you know. When something is unjustly done, it needs to be spoken up LOUDLY and brought to the attention of others who has authority to resolve it for the benefit of others, not just you.

I will say a prayer for you today. May God's peace and love remain in you.

PS: I do agree with what you said. GOD's love is a RECIPROCAL relationship.

5/14/2012 4:49:35 AM

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anonymous

Okay, what i hear in this homily seems as though it falls in alignment with God naturally, easily, I mean, if one truly loves the other, then to intentionally break any of the commandments or laws simply would not happen because you wouldn't want to hurt them.

Isn't that part of love?

5/14/2012 8:18:23 AM

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for the sake of any misunderstanding...

......just because one keeps distance, doesn't mean an absence of love. you do what you think is the right thing to do and leave the rest to God. it's the difference of passiveness v. letting the grace flow... if only i could figure that one out.

5/14/2012 9:11:32 AM

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Carla

Loren,
I've done what I can. After a while I just needed to stop whining, crying and letter writing. The entire process was stripping away my self-respect, and dignity. I came to the conclusion that obviously there is something I'm not understanding about the salvific process. Complaining doesn't help. Prayers help, but they always help in God's time, not mine.

5/14/2012 6:18:56 PM

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Mary@42

Thank you, Jesus, for drawing me close to you as an Eucharistic Apostle of Your Divine Mercy. You have taught me how to repent and beg for Your Mercy, You have taught me how to go forward and do what You have done to me; forgiving unconditionally. Yes, Jesus, it is not easy, but with Your Grace I know if I continue to respond to You, You will convert me to be Your Friend. Jesus I Trust in You

5/16/2012 12:18:43 PM

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anonymous

This was really bugging me so I had to go back and look it up. Song of Songs, 1:2 I’ve never forgotten that verse, it's so beautiful and I didn’t know or remember it is actually the first.

5/17/2012 3:42:30 PM

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