Today’s Readings:
Exodus 22:20-26
Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51;
1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Matthew 22:34-40
Act of Love – O my God, I love You above all things with my whole heart and soul, because You are all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbour as myself for love of You. I forgive all who have injured me, and I ask pardon for all whom I have injured. Amen.
What do you mean when you say, “I love myself”?
I appreciate myself
I look out for myself
I invest in myself
I treat myself with respect (I command respect)
I develop my skill sets
I take care of my mental health
I do not wait for others to love me or show me care
I have fun and a good time
I buy myself gifts
Will you love someone with the same energy with which you love yourself if you know that they do not care or will not return the favour? Yes? No?
Most of us will not give a second thought to someone who is practically using us to fill their need to be loved. Why? This is because we want to be loved. But when Jesus says, “love your neighbour as yourself,” this is what he means—selflessness and sacrifice. True love is uncomfortable, and I dare say unattainable without the grace of God. Aha! This is the missing piece of the puzzle. This is why the greatest commandment is, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your entire mind.” Without a deep, personal encounter of God’s love, we cannot love. All we will create is a disaster. Is it any wonder why we have so many failed relationships and marriages, many broken hearts and shattered homes, many dysfunctional persons and a corrupt society? You cannot give what you lack, and you cannot share what you have not experienced. You cannot love if you have not felt real love.
Real love is what God showed us by sending His only-begotten Son to die for our sins so that whoever believes in this sacrificial love, will not perish but be filled with the spirit of love and live forever. Real love is God’s continued forgiveness of our sins and supplying our needs when all we deserve is death and condemnation.
You will experience God’s love:
In the sacraments of the Church.
In the daily reading and meditation on the Scriptures.
In caring for those in your life.
In caring and providing for the poor, sick and needy.
In treating others fairly and with respect.
In calling others away from sin and onto righteousness.
In serving others with your time, talents and treasure.
Love begins in God, extends to you and flows out to others in a genuine act of selflessness. St Augustine teaches us that God alone is to be enjoyed. People ought to be loved and respected and material things are for our use. This is possible by the grace of God. Otherwise, we will find ourselves using people, enjoying material things and treating God as an afterthought. May God deliver us from evil and fill us with true and lasting love. Amen.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
Prayer:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
May God fill our hearts with love and give us the courage and strength to love others with the same intensity with which He loves us and shows us mercy. Amen.
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