490th Meditation
“Divine Father, infinite goodness poured out on all peoples, may You be known, honoured and loved by all men!” (Antiphon of the Office to God the Father).
When the peace of our Father descends like dew on the earth and penetrates souls, when people begin to know, honor and love God, they also become receptive to His goodness poured out on all peoples.
Jesus tells us: “No one is good but God alone” (Mk 10:18), pointing us to the source of goodness. God is good in Himself, without shadow or evil, and therefore from Him goodness can be poured out unceasingly on all peoples. He will never cease to do so, for it is the very nature of God to be good and to make His creatures sharers in His goodness. In a certain sense, God cannot but be good because His love impels Him to go out to meet His creation. In those who respond to his love, He finds a welcome.
The Apostle to the Gentiles said that preaching the Gospel was an obligation for him (1 Cor 9:16). This “obligation” he felt was the love that drove him to share the Good News. In a way, we could say that he was a “captive of love”.
In a way, we can apply the same to our beloved Father. He who is freedom itself, He who is goodness itself, He who is love itself, becomes a “captive of love” for His creation. He will never betray this love, even if human beings reject it.
His love impels Him to be so close to human beings that, in the person of His Son, He comes into our midst to save us from perdition. He Himself offered the sacrifice that Abraham did not have to offer. On Calvary, the unmistakable sign of His infinite goodness to all peoples was set up forever. This is our Father! May all people know Him, honor Him and love Him!