Daily Retreat 01/07/09
2009 Jan 7 Wed: Christmas Weekday/ Raymond of Peñafort, p
1 Jn 4: 11-18/ Ps 71(72): 1-2. 10. 12-13/ Mk 6: 45-52
From today’s readings: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.... Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.... Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! ”
Law of Love
As Christians, we are all aware of Christ’s "Law of Love," the commandment from Jesus that we are to love others as He loves us (Gospel of John 13:34). St. John emphasizes this several times throughout his writings, and of course, other New Testament authors do as well.
In spite of our awareness of this injunction from the repeated biblical insistence on love of others, oftentimes, you and I are lacking in awareness of the compelling nature of this law of love. No where in the Bible is love of others presented as a mere "good idea" or "goal to strive for" - rather, Jesus and all His apostles insist on love as an absolute obligation (as St. John writes in the first reading, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also MUST love one another.").
So, there’s really no room for half measures in this regard. And that’s why we need to take seriously St. John’s meditation on God’s love for us, for as we become aware of the extent of His love, it becomes easier for us (even something compelling!) to share this divine love with others.
1 Jn 4: 11-18/ Ps 71(72): 1-2. 10. 12-13/ Mk 6: 45-52
From today’s readings: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.... Lord, every nation on earth will adore You.... Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid! ”
Law of Love
As Christians, we are all aware of Christ’s "Law of Love," the commandment from Jesus that we are to love others as He loves us (Gospel of John 13:34). St. John emphasizes this several times throughout his writings, and of course, other New Testament authors do as well.
In spite of our awareness of this injunction from the repeated biblical insistence on love of others, oftentimes, you and I are lacking in awareness of the compelling nature of this law of love. No where in the Bible is love of others presented as a mere "good idea" or "goal to strive for" - rather, Jesus and all His apostles insist on love as an absolute obligation (as St. John writes in the first reading, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also MUST love one another.").
So, there’s really no room for half measures in this regard. And that’s why we need to take seriously St. John’s meditation on God’s love for us, for as we become aware of the extent of His love, it becomes easier for us (even something compelling!) to share this divine love with others.
posted by FrPitstick | 1/05/2009
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