Saturday 14^th March – Saturday of the 3rd week of Lent

Reflection: Hosea 5: 15- 6: 6

LOVE: OBEYING GOD’S COMMAND

“God made me to know Him, to love Him, to serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him in the next” This is the answer to the question: “Why did God make you?” As simple as this appears, it is a spiritual truth that summarizes the whole of God’s commandments. Though, it is often committed to memory, it is hardly given deep thought. God, who is Love, created us in this His image, thus, He created us for love. “Anyone that loves is born of God and he knows God.” (1 John 4:7). When we Love God in our neighbour, we reflect this Divine heritage and this pleases God.

God tells us through the prophet Hosea in today’s first reading that all God wants from us is that we love Him (Hosea 6:6). What is this “Love” that makes all the difference? St. Paul gives an answer in 1 Cor 13:4-7. Love is kindness shown to people outside your “clique”. Love is humbly admitting that God’s grace is the only reason you still breathe. Love is taking no pleasure in the sorrow of others. Love is absolute faith in God. Love is unconditional. Love is the reason God made Christ; who was sinless, to bear all our transgressions so that we might be put right through Him.

Beloved, to love is to obey God’s commands, and His commands are not difficult, since we rely on Him for grace (1 John 5:3). Bring God an offering of love today; He earnestly desires it.

PRAYER: Dear God, teach me to love you more each day. Make my love perfect. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 516 – How can people say “Father” to God if they have been tormented or abandoned by their earthly father / their earthly parents?

Even individuals who have been raped by their own father can learn to pray the Our Father. Often it is their task in life to allow themselves to experience a love that was cruelly refused them by others but that nevertheless exists in a marvelous way, beyond all human imagining.

HIDE A TREASURE: “May you come to know His love – although it can never be fully known – and so be completely filled with the very nature of God” Ephesians 3: 19 GNB

Readings for Today: Hosea 5:15- 6:6; Psalm 51: 3-4, 18-21; Luke 18:9-14