See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. (1 John 3:1)
In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. (1 John 4:9-10)
The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Although we rightly focus most of our attention on Jesus' birth during the Christmas season, it is during this grace-filled season that we can also come to know more clearly the love of God the Father. It was our Heavenly Father's love for us that moved him to send Jesus to earth and experience everything that had to do with the human condition. And it was the Father's love that sent him on his three-year mission of preaching and healing as he made his way to the final act of love, his death on the cross.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us why the Son of God became man: "The word became flesh so that thus we might know God's love: ‘In this is the love of God made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world, so that we might live through him'" (CCC, 458).
Our Heavenly Father has loved us with an everlasting love. He rejoices over us every day and loves to shower us with his love and faithfulness. He even loves the most minute effort on our part to worship him. He just needs one small opening for his love to come rushing into our hearts
In light of this great love, why is it that we struggle to spend time in prayer with our Heavenly Father? Could it be that we are too concerned with whether our sins are too big for our Father to hear our cries for his mercy or our profession of love for him? Why are we sometimes so afraid of not being right with God that we don't think we can even repent of any unfaithfulness and receive his forgiveness and love? The devil wants to convince us to give up. He knows that if he can keep us in fear over our sins or unworthiness, he will keep us from knowing and experiencing the love and forgiveness of our Loving Father.
Every time we try to pray — especially as we spend time praising and worshipping the Father — we can be lifted up to heaven. We don't have to be entrenched in this world! Through prayer, our gaze can change from horizontal to vertical as we receive a much bigger picture of who God the Father is and how small our sin is in comparison.
If you are struggling with prayer, don't turn away in frustration or guilt! Instead, cry out to your Father in Heaven. Remember that he gave you his Holy Spirit to help you pray in the first place (Romans 8:26). Trust that the Spirit knows even your deepest, darkest thoughts and still wants to bring you closer to your Heavenly Father. In faith and confidence, simply begin praising the Father for his goodness and love. Thank him for his mercy and extol him for his power. Persist in this prayer, and watch the Holy Spirit reward you a hundredfold!
Jesus also wants to pour out his Father's love upon us and make us secure and firmly rooted in that love. And Christmas is just the season to receive this promise. Let's come to the Father and thank him for his love. Let's come to Jesus and follow him and rejoice.
Thank you, Father, for your overflowing love and kindness. I praise you because you are faithful, even when my heart grows cold and distant. Father, my burden is lighter because you have sent your Son to be a light for my path and a shelter in times of trial or suffering.
Lord Jesus, come into my heart more deeply with the fire of your love so that I will not be enticed by the world but by your love instead. Lord, I love you! Your grace is sufficient for me to live a life pleasing to you.
A Special Note: I know that many of you have been blessed through the Catholic Man Channel and the support and resources provided by the National Fellowship of Catholic Men (NFCM). More than ever, we need your prayers and financial support. If you believe in the vision of the NFCM, "Catholic Men, Linked as Brothers in Jesus Christ, and Called to Bring Him to Others" and have been blessed by the Catholic Man Channel and other of our resources, please consider financially partnering with the NFCM as part of your end of year giving. It is only through the support of men like you that we have been able to touch the lives of tens of thousands of Catholic men. Let's continue to stand shoulder to shoulder to reach other Catholic men for Jesus Christ and bring the light of the Incarnate Christ and his Gospel to a darkened world this Christmas season. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the NFCM and support our vision and outreach to Catholic men, just click here.
Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing us to adapt material from daily meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men
1. Advent and Christmas are a time to see more clearly and experience more deeply the love of Jesus and the love of our Heavenly Father. Were you able to do this? Why or why not? It is not to late to rise above all the busyness and distractions of the Christmas season to spend more time in prayer and worship? What steps can you take to do this?
2. In the article we hear these words, "Our Heavenly Father has loved us with an everlasting love. He rejoices over us every day and loves to shower us with his love and faithfulness. He even loves the most minute effort on our part to worship him. He just needs one small opening for his love to come rushing into our hearts." How can you respond to these words?
3. What are some of the obstacles that prevent you from coming to your Heavenly Father and experiencing his great love for you, especially in prayer and in the Eucharist? What steps can you take to overcome them?
4. What role does Jesus and the Holy Spirit play in revealing the Father's love to you?
5. If you are in a men's group, end your meeting by praying for one another to know and experience more deeply the Father's love. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.
