I am almost sure many of us have had the opportunity of singing sometimes with our brothers and sisters of different Christian faiths this little song, “Yes. Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, Yes Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so.”
From these words come a fundamental truth of being Christian. This song tells us that God loves each of us in our unique personality with a special love just for us. God in Jesus sees his creation and knows all of the circumstances that make us who we are. God sees, God knows everything about us, and in spite of all our faults and frailties, God loves us just as we are.
In the recent retreat given to the Brothers at Columba Hall, Dan Ponisciak CSC, wanted to emphasize aspects of God’s love for us. He replaced St. Paul’s description of love with the word “God.” Instead of saying, “Love is patient, love is kind, Father Dan said. “God is patient, God is kind” and so on. The one characteristic that is like no other is sacrificial love. “There is no greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friend.” This is what Jesus did for each of us and for all people. Yes, Jesus loves us for the Bible tells us so.
- Did you sing this song when you were a child?
- What are some other descriptions of love that, according to St. Paul, apply to God?
- What is most significant to you about Holy Week?
O God, let the child’s song “Yes, Jesus loves me” penetrate my heart.