Thursday 8^th January – Thursday after Epiphany Sunday

Reflection: 1 John 4: 19- 5:4

HOW SINCERE IS YOUR LOVE?

Love, the greatest of all virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13) appears to be the most abused word nowadays. We claim to love, yet we sacrifice little or nothing for our love and barely forgive offences. We claim to love God but readily flout His commandments. The list of contradictions is inexhaustible!

Beloved in Christ, we are called this day to individually examine our disposition and sincerity to the greatest of God’s commandments – loving God and our neighbour (Mark 12:28-31). The true affirmation of our love of God is found in our wilful obedience to Him (1 John 5:3). We should sincerely seek to know His will and wholeheartedly commit ourselves to doing it.

Our love for our neighbour must not be based on how “lovable” they appear to us as it is precisely those who seem “unlovable” that we are called to go out of our way to love (Matthew 5: 44-46). When we point out imperfection in others, we must not forget that we are not flawless ourselves. If God in His infinite mercy loves us despite our imperfections, why should we demand perfection from others?

Dear friends, let us this day reflect on 1 Corinthians 13. Until we love our neighbours, no matter who they are, as ourselves and lovingly commit ourselves to obeying God’s commandments, we have no true claim to be followers of Christ.

PRAYER: Oh Lord, my inadequacy in love is glaring! Please help me that I may better love you and love my neighbour as myself. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: CCC 1825 – Christ died out of love for us, while we were still “enemies”. The Lord asks us to love as He does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbour of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ Himself.

The Apostle Paul has given an incomparable depiction of charity: “charity is patient and kind, charity is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Charity does not insist on its own will; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Charity bears all things, believes, hopes all things, and endures all things.”

HIDE A TREASURE: “For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” 1 John 5:3 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: 1 John 4: 19- 5:4; Psalm 72: 1-2, 14-17; Luke 4: 14-22