As Christians we must resist any temptation to think of God as impersonal. Jesus states: "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Lk 12: 6-7) The nature of God as Holy Trinity is mysterious and sublime but always intimate and personal. Likewise, we should never become pessimistic and think that this triune God is a vengeful and punishing God looking to catch us out. John has told us "God is love" (1 Jn 4: 16) and Paul that God: "... desires everyone to be saved and come to knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2: 4) Likewise, in the Gospel today Jesus reassures Nicodemus: "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (Jn 3: 17) Jansenism is a heresy that is a form of Catholic Calvinism. It is a pessimistic, austere and judgmental theology that thinks only a small portion of humanity will be saved. On this special feast let us honour joyfully the magnanimous, loving and merciful God, revealed in Christ Jesus, who desires the whole of humanity to receive the salvation he has in store for us.
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