Readings for Tuesday January 5, 2010
Memorial of Saint John Neumann, bishop
First Reading: 1 John 4:7-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72
Gospel: Mark 6:34-44
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love. In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins. (1 John 4:7-10)
Each day we each have so many missed opportunities to love. There are all sorts of reasons for this, sometimes it is is just because we are so busy or distracted that we miss people and things going on around us. Other times we think that it just takes too much work, or that it would be too much of an inconvenience to show love or do an act of love. There are also times where our hearts are so hardened towards someone or something that we would rather do anything else besides show love. As I said before, each day we all have so many missed opportunities to love.
As I was reflecting on Saint John's words today, something struck me as interesting; if we say yes to love in our lives, then we are saying yes to God. As Saint John points out, God is love; and so by saying yes to love we are saying yes to Him. If we turn away from or shy away from love, then we are turning away from God.
As Christians, we are each called to follow and be like Christ; and Christ is God who is love. We are each called to choose love in our lives, and by doing this we are doing the work in this world that God calls us to. By choosing to love, we can bring Christ more fully into our lives and the lives of others. May we always remember that when we say yes to love, we are saying yes to God.
Today, reflect on how we can each love more fully and better in our lives; and how can we keep our eyes open for opportunities to love? This is our challenge and our calling.
Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, thank you for our lives; and for your great love and mercy. help us to love as you want us to, help us to be the men and women that you created us to be. We love you Lord, and praise you for all you bless us with. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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You know...you are right! On the flip side, how often do we hurt the ones we love most? Whether it be a cross word, a failure to provide a basic need, a rebuff, etc... Think of how those behaviors hurt our God even more. Very thought provoking. Thank you, Jimmie.
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