lasting love
"Your fruit must endure." —John 15:16
Jesus, the Vine, commands us, the branches, to bear fruit that is not only abundant but also lasting (Jn 15:16). Our commitment to the Lord and the commitments of those whom we have led to the Lord will last, if these commitments are:
- "rooted in Him (Jesus) and built up in Him" (Col 2:7),
- confirmed by the Holy Spirit,
- founded on the rock of hearing and obeying God's word (Mt 7:24ff),
- in submission to the authority of the Church, "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tm 3:15),
- fire-tried by "the distress of many trials" (1 Pt 1:6-7), and
- surrounded by a cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1).
Jesus is the First and the Last (Rv 22:13). His love for us endures forever. May our love for Him last forever.
Prayer: Father, You are my first and last Love (see Rv 2:4).
Promise: "When it was read there was great delight at the encouragement it gave." —Acts 15:31
Praise: Pope St. John I was imprisoned and died in jail as a martyr. He was "delivered to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be revealed" (2 Cor 4:11).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order Fr. Lauer's tape on Love on audio AV 58-1 or video V-58.) (The retreat Loving the Most Important People in Your Life, June 30-July 1, opens the Summer Discipleship Retreat series. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-471-4622 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com to register or to obtain more information.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 9, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2000