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! |
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