GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

1. Understand the concept of unconditional love.
2. Appreciate God’s loving mercy.
3. Practice mercy and compassion.

INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
“ The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to
forget is the happiest”
THE MARK OF FORGIVENESS
It is 2AM in the morning.
Allan had too much fun in the party. He did not realized that he went beyond the curfew. He had to beg a
friend to drive him home.
He softly knocked at the mahogany door and when it opened, he saw his mother’s sad eyes looking at him. “I
was worried about you.” His mother said. “I’m sorry mom. Is dad angry?” Allan answered. “Well, he is
disappointed. Go, see him in the kitchen.” Allan’s mother replied. Allan went to the kitchen and saw his father.
“Dad, I’m sorry.” He sheepishly asked forgiveness. “Allan there will be no shouting or hurtful words tonight.
You know that what you have done is wrong.” Allan’s father was calm and recollected. “Here, take this
hammer and put a nail on the mahogany door.” Allan was confused. He picked the hammer and struck a six-
inch nail on their front door. Then Allan went back to the kitchen. “It is done dad.” Allan told his father.
“Okey, go to sleep. You still have class tomorrow.” His father replied. Allan wondered why his father made
him put a nail on their beautiful door.
The next morning, Allan cringed when he saw the nail jutting out the door. A week passed when one day,
Allan’s mother asked him to take out the trash and trim the lawn. He said”Yes” to his mom, but forgot all
about it when a friend asked him to try out for the school soccer team. Soon, the stench of
Of rotting garbage was all over the house and the lawn was unkempt. Allan realized that he forgot
to do his chores and was expecting that his father to be angry at him again. However, his father
simply asked him to put another nail on the door. A few days after, Allan told his parents that he
got a failing mark in one of his subjects because he failed to finish his final project.
Again, Allan’s father asked him to put another nail on the door. It was then that Allan realized the
meaning of the nails on the door. He immediately went to his father and sincerely asked for
forgiveness. “Father I understand. I am truly sorry.” Allan was teary-eyed. “I will not put another
nail on the door. I promise to fulfill my obligations and be a good son.” Allan’s father smiled. He
asked Allan to get the hammer and meet him at the front door. Using the hammer, he then pulled
all the nails and gave them to Allan. “You see Allan, even though we asked forgiveness, we put a
mark on the heart on those whom we hurt. Just like those nail marks on our door.” Allan’s father
explained.
Allan understood and hugged his father. I hope you can forgive me, Father, for the holes I have
put in you.” Allan said. His father embraced him tightly and Allan knew then that he was forgiven.
LEARNING ACTIVITY
1. How did Allan realize that he was doing something wrong and needed to change?
2. How did Allan’s father show his deep love and concern for his son?
3. Allan’s father said, “even though we asked for forgiveness, we put a mark on the heart of
those whom we have hurt.” Can you give ways on how we can erase this “mark?”
 REFLECTION

Allan was a typical teenager: enjoying parties, trying to find his niche in the world and
prone to various distractions. But his parents recognize his life stage and his lapse of
judgement just like any teenager who is still in his way to maturity. Allan must learn that our
actions has consequences. Allan’s parents demonstrated that people can always seek
forgiveness and be forgiven but wrongful acts leave a mark in our relationships like a crystal
glass that is dropped, our relationship can have cracks or even be shattered. Let us read
another story that is noteworthy. It is a story wherein no nails are put on the door and no
marks are left (or even remembered)It is a story that human cannot fathom but made
possible because of God
 Then the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught in
the act of adultery. They made er stand in front of everyone. “Master,” they said, “this woman
has been caught in the act of adultery. Now the Law of Moses orders that such women be
stoned to death; but you, what do you say?” They said this to test Jesus in order to have charged
against Him. Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with his finger. And as they
continued to ask him, he strengthened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who has no
sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And he bent down again writing on the ground. As a
result of these words, they went away, one by one, starting with the elders, and Jesus was left
alone, with the woman standing before him. Then Jesus stood up and said to her. “Woman,
where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one.” And Jesus said. “Neither
do I condemn you: go away and don’t sin again.” Jn 8:3-11
 CHURCH TEACHINGS
Jesus is the image of the unseen God (cf. Col 1:15) Through his words and actions Jesus
Christ has shown us God the Father. Jesus said, “If you know me, You will know the Father
also; indeed you know Him, and you have seen him(cf. Jn 14:7)” Jesus Christ whom God
willed to reconcile all things to himself(cf. Col 1:20) has shown to us that God the Father is
rich in mercy. Looking back at the story of the adulteress, Jesus Christ did not condemn the
woman but instead told her not to sin again. However, prior to the woman’s absolution, she
was “made to stand before everyone” and threatened to be “stoned to death”. The woman
endured public shame and feared for her life. Jesus Christ however manifested the richness
of God’s mercy. He has shown to us that “God the Father of mercies, is particularly close to
us especially when we are suffering and when our dignity and existence are threatened.”
(cf. Dives in Misericordia) God loves us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to save us. The
only begotten son of God did not come to the world to condemn us but to give eternal life
(cf Jn 3:16)
THE MERCY OF GOD IN THE MISSION OF THE
CHURCH
God is love. (Jn 4:8) and Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God’s love. Dives in Misericordia,
2 tells us, “Christ by becoming the incarnation of the love that is manifested with particular
force with regard to the suffering, the unfortunate and sinners, makes present and thus, more
fully reveals the Father.” Hence, when we believe in Jesus Christ, we also believe that “love is
present in the world and that this love is more powerful than any kind of evil in which
individuals, humanity or the world are involved. Believing in this love means believing in
mercy”.
The 3 Parables in Luke’s Gospel Chapter 15, the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son
are about some examples of Jesus’ Christ’s on God the Father’s love and His divine Mercy.
When we actively participate in the EUCHARIST we are brought nearer to that love which is
more powerful than death. Also when we go through the Sacrament of PENANCE or
RECONCILIATION we experience “Mercy” in a unique way- A LOVE which is more
powerful than sin. (God’s divine readiness to forgive). The love and forgiveness that we have
received from God and the Church calls us to love our neighbor too, and extend loving mercy
to those who have trespassed against us. Dives in Misericordia 7
Those who approach the Sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God’s mercy for offenses committed against
Him and are at the same time , reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by
charity, example and prayer, labors for their conversion. CFC 1771