simply love
"There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." —1 Corinthians 13:13
Life is simple. The meaning of life is love, for God is Love (1 Jn 4:16). All we have to do is to love God with all our hearts (Dt 6:5), love ourselves (Mt 22:39), and love our neighbors (Mt 22:39).
God is easy to love sometimes (see Lk 4:22). But then He speaks the truth in love (see Eph 4:15), and we desire to throw Him over a cliff (Lk 4:29-30). Moreover, we live in the midst of an epidemic of self-hatred. Abortion, euthanasia, alcoholism, addictive behavior, the idolatry of TV addiction, and major influences in our culture of death are obvious or subtle manifestations of self-hatred. Finally, to love our neighbors means to love everyone, including our enemies (Mt 5:43-44).
How can we relate to God, Who is Love, when we are not in love or even loving? "We, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). Do a one-minute crucifix novena. Look at a crucifix for at least one minute a day for nine days. Let the Spirit reveal in a new way Abba's love for you (Gal 4:6; Rm 5:5).
Prayer: Abba, may I live in love and live in You (1 Jn 4:16).
Promise: "If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." —1 Cor 13:3
Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). We adore You forever! Alleluia!
Reference: (It's not too late to sign up for Living in Reality, a retreat that prepares us to go deeper into the four basic realities revealed by Christ. This is our annual retreat in a local Cincinnati parish February 15-16. Call 513-373-2397 to register, or see our website www.presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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