"Recently in RCIA, the subject of unconditional love of God..."

What is the Catholic position?


Adapted from the April 2009 edition of This Rock magazine.


Question:


"Recently in RCIA, the subject of unconditional love of God came up.

" I asked if it was the Catholic position that God loves us unconditionally in certain earthly matters (material blessings upon wicked and righteous alike), but not in salvation.

"Most of the class tried to correct me.

"What is the Catholic position?"


Fr. Vincent Serpa's response:

"God does love us unconditionally in that he loves us even in our sins.

"But he cannot love our sins.

"He cannot love evil.

"He will always forgive us if we repent.

"To love him back, we must be free to choose to love him or not.

"Love cannot be programmed or forced.

"To love him is the greatest thing we can do for ourselves.

"But we can chose to not love him.

"Our choice to not love him does not diminish his unconditional love.

"But it certainly diminishes ours!"

-- Fr. Vincent Serpa