God’s Extravagant Love – Reflection by Fr. Brendan
When children want to express the extravagance of their love for their parents, or someone dear to them, they often extend their arms as wide as possible and cry out: “I love you this much!” That simple gesture suggests a child’s love for her parent far exceeds the width of their extended arms and even the largess their youthful imaginations. Indeed, the arms of children extended wide in a gesture of love, helps us all realize the true love is extravagant; it is generous beyond imagination.
At the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, on Holy Thursday, the theme of God’s extravagant love is the thread that weaves the tapestry of the Scriptural texts together. In the passage from Exodus, the LORD gives to Moses and Aaron the directions for Passover. The LORD instructs Israel on how they, as a people, shall remember the immensity of God’s love as evidenced by their deliverance from the Egyptians. The Psalmist sings: “How can I make a return to the LORD for all the good he had done for me?” Therein the Psalmist reminds us of the generosity of God’s kindness to his chosen ones. In 1 Cor 11, Paul recounts the gift of Eucharist, the gift of Christ’s Body and Blood being shared with those who believe. God’s love runs so deep for his children that he feeds us on his own body and blood. In John 13, Jesus stoops down to wash the feet of his closest disciples. So great is Jesus’ love for his disciples that the master and teacher has become servant and model. In bending down to wash humanity’s feet, Jesus lifts us up and transforms us by his love. We who were servants are now friends, and to us Jesus gives the command that we should do as he has done. We are to love as God loves with an extravagance that knows no end!
Fr. Brendan Moss, OSB, is a monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey serving as the 28th President-Rector of Conception Seminary College. In addition to the work of administration, he regularly teaches in the area of Pastoral Theology, particularly Preaching and Religious Education.
