God Knows Us
Minute Homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (B)
The gospel reading this Sunday ends with the words, “Jesus did not need anyone to testify about human nature because he himself understood it well” (Jn 2:25). I think that’s so important for us to keep in mind, especially when we think about God’s commandments, including the Ten Commandments that we hear in the first reading this Sunday. God understands us. As our Creator, he made us and knows what is good for us. And Jesus, as God incarnate, knows what it is to be one of us. God truly knows us inside and out.
That means his commands and moral precepts are not just rules that we have to follow that are imposed on us from the outside. God’s not a tyrant. He doesn’t get off by having us obey his will. No. He’s a loving Father, and he knows what’s best for us, his children, and he wants what is good for us. He wants us to be happy. And his commands are there to help lead us on the road to eternal happiness.
So the things we are forbidden to do, like lying, stealing, adultery, or worshipping false gods, are forbidden because they go against our nature. They are harmful to us. And the things we are commanded to do, like loving God and loving one another, help us to achieve that end for which we are made, which is eternal happiness in union with God the Father, through His Son Jesus Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
God is love, and he made us in his image to love and to be loved. His commands are there to help us do just that. That’s why the psalm this week says that they give light to the eyes and gladden the heart. Rather than bristle at God’s commands, let’s be thankful that we have a God who loves us so much and understands our needs.
