Saturday 15th March – Saturday of the 1^st week of Lent

Reflection: Deuteronomy 26:16-19

LOVE IS A VERB

In elementary English, a verb would often be defined as an “action word”. Friend, it is the same with the word – “Love”. Love is not love until it moves from you heart to your mouth, and then to your actions. Many times, we have declared our love for God, but the next minute, our actions would contradict those very words. God is calling us today to practical Christianity. It is high time we started living the God kind of life which is actualized in a life of love. The Bible tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8). The test of one’s love for God is measured by the level of obedience that a person has unto God. No wonder Jesus says ‘if you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love…’ (John 15:10), and He calls those that obey Him His brothers and sisters.

Beloved, you must know today that there is no option for a Christian than to live a life of pure and unconditional love towards God and others. So, dare to be a lover of God and your brothers and sisters in words and deed. In doing this you would become a friend of God.

PRAYER: Father I repent of every form of falsehood in my love for you. Today I embrace your command of love. So help me God.  Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 131 – What must we do for the unity of Christians?

In word and deed we must obey Christ, who expressly wills “that they may all be one” (John 17:21)

Christian unity is the business of all Christians…Unity was one of Jesus’ most important concerns. He prayed to the Father, “that they may all be one . . . so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21). Divisions are like wounds on the Body of Christ; they hurt and fester. Divisions lead to enmities and weaken the faith and credibility of Christians. Overcoming the scandal of separation requires the conversion of all concerned but also knowledge of one’s own faith convictions, dialogues with others, and especially prayer in common, and collaboration among Christians in serving mankind…

HIDE A TREASURE: “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me” Psalm 119:133 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:43-48