Austria Reflection 2

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, 
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish 
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, 
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, 
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Today, Latare Sunday,  we rejoice. We rejoice because of the Lord's great mercy for us. Why does he have mercy for us? Because of something I have talked about before in this blog, his life giving loving. It would be against his nature to let that which he created, expressions of himself, continue in the way of death. His Love was so great that became flesh himself and willingly gave up his own life so that all might have life.

This is truth that has been revealed so that man might have eternal life. Two weeks ago I was in Rome followed by a few days in Assisi. I saw and felt the Lord's Love and Mercy firsthand. I took part in Mass in all 4 major Basilicas: St. Paul's Outside the Walls, St. Peter's, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran. Talk about plenary indulgence galore. But that's not everything. I saw the tombs of countless saints, many of them incorrupt. I walked along the via appia. I went down into the catacombs. I walked up the Holy Stairs on my knees. Grace entered into my heart more in that week than it ever has before.

The more Grace the better. It changes us. Grace raises up the intellect and converts the will. It has also given me a fuller understanding of what it means to love. Yes, Love gives life. But true Love, especially between persons, is selfless. One loves for the sake of the other, therefore, one must give there whole self to their beloved in fidelity. This is true in both human love and the love between God and man.

I am having such a wonderful time in Austria. Unfortunately, midterms are approaching, so I have to get studying. But as soon as I finish midterms, I'm off to Poland.