“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (Ps. 23:1).
“But now thus says the Lord… ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Is. 43:1).
Why did God create us? Why does He lead us? Why did He redeem us?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
Why did the Son of God return to Jerusalem, riding in as the King of the city, only to be betrayed and crucified days later? Why did He give us Himself in the Holy Eucharist, instituting the priesthood, knowing that many would forsake Him and turn on Him later?
There is only one answer to all these questions. God created us and redeemed us simply because He loves us. The world of creation around us is testament to that, in all its beauty - from the majestic mountains and rugged bluffs, to the infant in the womb, or the tiniest seedling. The wonder of new life is palpable at this time of year.
As we enter into Holy Week, delving deeper into the mysteries of Christ’s Passion and Death, we marvel at the wonder of the tiniest seed thrust into the earth, as Christ Himself was placed in a tomb. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:24). Those seeds, which can sometimes seem lifeless (how is it even possible that such a large and fruitful plant could ever come from such a tiny, seemingly lifeless seed?), buried in the ground at this time of year, will bear much fruit - a testament to the Resurrection of Christ which we will celebrate in just a couple of weeks’ time.
Shouldn’t this be reason for hope? If God can bring such life and fruit out of such a tiny seed, surely, then, the tiniest seeds of goodness, truth, beauty - of love - planted during this Lent may, with His divine assistance, be brought to full fruition in the garden of our souls.
There was no other reason for Christ’s life on earth, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension than this - “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
