Friday 6^th February – Memorial St Paul Miki & Companions, Martyrs

Reflection: Hebrews 13: 1-8

TRUE LOVE: THE BEST WAY TO PLEASE GOD.

The desire to please God should be at the heart of our desire as Christians. For anyone who takes His Christian faith seriously, each day brings the challenge and the opportunity of pleasing God. Christ makes it clear to us that to please God is to obey His commandment – the commandment to love one another just as Christ has loved us. (John 13:34-35).

We express this true love by hospitality to all, even to strangers; by sharing in the pains of those who suffer and in the joys of those who rejoice without any form of envy. We express this love by being tolerant; keeping no grudges, being faithful to our promises especially to God and our spouses, bearing in mind that judgment awaits all those who are immoral.

Beloved, the essence of true love in the life of a Christian cannot be over-emphasised. The gospel is itself a message of love – a love that led God to allow the blood of His only son to be shed so that we can be reconciled to Him and become partakers in His divine nature. Let us therefore open our hearts to others in true love, bearing in mind that love is the essence of our lives as Christians and is our path to truly pleasing God. Be alert for the opportunities to love others today!

PRAYER: Lord, please give me the grace to always be willing to love others sacrificially just as you have done for me. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 280: What reasons do Christians give for human dignity?

Every person, from the first moment of his life in the womb, has an inviolable dignity, because from all eternity God willed, loved, created, and redeemed that person and destined him for eternal happiness.

HIDE A TREASURE: Do not neglect to offer hospitality, for by doing it some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings Hebrews 13:1-8; Psalm 27: 1-9; Mark 6:14-29