Monday 5^th January – Monday after Epiphany Sunday

Reflection: 1 John 3:22- 4:6

KEEPING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS

One of the most misleading theories in today’s world is the theory of relativism. Relativism proposes that nothing is absolutely “right” or “wrong”. There is no absolute truth. Hence what is right for me may not be for you and what you consider wrong may be right for me, depending on my opinion. In the bid to promote freedom of expression and action, this devilish theory has gained wide acceptance in our modern world and many people live in selfishness and commit atrocities based on the thought that nothing is really “bad” or “good”.

Dear friends, none of us is a permanent resident of this world. We all met the earth as it is and will eventually leave it behind. If we reflect deeply on this, we would realise that we have no power to decide what is right or wrong. We must turn to the Creator Himself, the one who set the world as it is to find guidance on how to live our lives. As young Christians, let us beware of the subtle ways in which the world around us seeks to draw us away from keeping God’s commandments. We were created by God and for God and our hearts will never find true and lasting happiness until we submit to God’s will.

“His commandments are these: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and that we love one another as he told us to” (1 John 3:23). The Bible gives us an outline of the kind of life to which God has called us. Let us seek Him each day in His word and in prayer so we may receive the grace to live the kind of life that God wants us to.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the gift of life. Please strengthen me to live in your love and to keep your commandments always. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 286 – What is freedom and what is it for?

Freedom is the God-given power to be able to act of one’s own accord; a person who is free no longer acts under the influence of someone else.

God created us as free men and wills our freedom so that we might decide wholeheartedly in favor of the good, indeed for the greatest “good”—in other words, for God. The more we do what is good, the freer we become.

HIDE A TREASURE: “And we receive whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him.” 1 John 3:22 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: 1 John 3:22- 4:6; Psalm 2: 7-11; Matthew 4: 12-17, 23-25