First Reading: 1 John 4:19-5:4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72
Gospel: Luke 4:14-22
In his first letter, Saint John writes "Beloved we love God because He first loved us." As Christians we are called to love God first in our lives. When we look at all the blessings He has given us in our lives, there should be no doubt of His great love for us. Even the times when we turn away from Him, He is always there ready to pick us up and take us back. So even though we do not understand His ways, many times we can "get on board" with loving God.
Our calling does not end here, in fact, we are called to much more. Not only are we to love God first in our lives, but we are also called to love our brothers and our neighbors. This can be very difficult, especially with family and friends. But Saint John tells us that "If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." We are meant to love those who do us wrong, those who betray, and those who do evil. If we truly want to love and serve God, then we have to let go of all of the things that prevent us from loving others. If work every day to love God first and everyone else, then we will find a peace and a joy in our lives unlike anything else.
We are created in God's image, and God is love. If God is love, and we are created in His image, then that means that we were meant to love.
Father above, we thank you for this day. Lord, fill us with your love and mercy, help us to not hold back our love of you and of others. Lord, we pray for peace in our world and for the suffering of our brothers and sisters in the world. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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