The Lord has a wonderful plan for our lives (see Jer 29:11). He plans for us not only to be loved or give love but even to abide in love and thereby abide in God (1 Jn 4:16). God, Who is Love, orchestrates the events of our lives to help us climb the mountain of unconditional love. When we sin, we fall down the mountain. When we obey, forgive, or repent, we climb up the mountain. Step by step, love by love, we can reach the heights of Christ's love (see Eph 3:18). Eventually, we can reach the mountaintop of love, that is, heaven, where the love is unconditional, perfect, and everlasting in the presence of God, Who is infinite Love.
This Christmas season, take several, big steps up the mountain of love. Love your spouse more than you have ever loved him or her. Forgive and love your enemies. Love strangers enough to tell them the Good News of God's crucified love. Love as never before. This is the meaning of Christmas and of life.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I break new ground in love and climb higher than I've ever been before. |
| PROMISE: | "Our love is brought to perfection in this, that we should have confidence on the day of judgment; for our relation to this world is just like His." –1 Jn 4:17 |
| PRAISE: | Roberta and Louis's reverence for the Eucharist is being passed on, to, and through their children. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College