Friday 27^th June – Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Reflection: 1 John 4: 7-16

RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE

The Solemnity the Church celebrates today is one that calls us to reflect on the wonderful love God has for us: a love that made Him to give Himself as ransom for our sins. The readings for today reveal in a unique way this great love and even go a step further – they call us to respond to this love.

What is our response to God’s love? “…let us love one another since love comes from God”. We are called to love others in the same way God has loved us. We are called to love unconditionally and sacrificially. “…since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another” (1 John 4: 11). Obeying the commandment to love is the proof of our discipleship – “by this all men would know that you are my disciples; if you have love for one another” John 13:35.

Today, make a decision to love others unconditionally and sacrificially. Extend a hand of help, attention or friendship to that needy person around you or that seemingly unlovable person. Let the love of God reach others through you. It is only through this that you and I can truly tell the world that Christ is alive and dwells in us and through this, open channels for evangelisation.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your great love for me despite my unworthiness. Please deliver me from selfishness and help me to extend your love to others. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 309 – What is charity?

Charity is the power by which we, who have been loved first by God, can give ourselves to God so as to be united with him and can accept our neighbor for God’s sake as unconditionally and sincerely as we accept ourselves.

Jesus places love above all laws, without however abolishing the latter…That is why charity, love, is the greatest virtue, the energy that inspires all the other virtues and fills them with divine life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 RSV-CE

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 7: 6-11; Psalm 103: 1-10; 1 John 4: 7-16