“Today’s New Testament readings regale us with that most fundamental of Christian convictions, that we have been loved into existence by a God whose very being is Love overflowing. St. Paul reminds us that ‘God is rich in mercy, because of the great love he [has] for us.’

…I experienced (anew) God’s outrageous love when I became a grandparent last year. When visiting my new grandchild, Elliot, I saw again the power of love at its most elemental.

As I watched my sleep-deprived daughter-in-law selflessly nursing little Elliot, the Gospel refrain echoed anew . . . for God so loved the world.

As I witnessed my son swaying with Elliot in his arms, gently crooning a lullaby . . . for God so loved the world.

As I gazed with wonder into his cherubic visage and held him close . . . for God so loved the world.

This is our God, drawing us into the Father’s divine bosom, bearing us up in Love everlasting.”

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A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 2:4-10

Brothers and sisters: God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ—by grace you have been saved—, raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.

The word of the Lord.

Richard R. Gaillardetz was the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and the author of numerous books, including By What Authority? Rick died peacefully at home on November 7, 2023, surrounded by his family.