Today’s Readings:
Acts 10:25-26,34-35,44-48
Psalm 98:1-4
1 John 4:7-10
John 15:9-17
Should everybody in your life be considered a “loved one”? Some people hold the opinion that not everyone should qualify for this name. They claim that some should be "loved ones", others should be "liked ones" and others "ones" or even "twos". This view is held by those who believe that love is conditioned on how others treat us or how we feel about the people in our lives—basically, I should match the energy with which others love me. Is this how a Christian ought to love? Saint Thomas Aquinas defines love as “the choice to will the good of the other.” Love is a choice, a choice to do for others what is good in the eyes of God.
Human life can be divided into three basic love relationships:
The love of God;
Love of self; and
Love of neighbour.
The basis for our love of others is the sacrificial love God has for us: “God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him: this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away” (1 John 4:8-10). This is why Jesus says in today's Gospel reading: "This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends."
This is how God loves us and how we ought to love. Our love should be:
Free,
Total,
Demanding
Self-emptying,
Faithful, and
Fruitful (self-giving).
The way the world loves:
Costly,
Partial,
Self-seeking
Unfaithful
Conditional
It lacks commitment, and
Unreliable.
But scripture says, in 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
JUDE-MARY OWOH
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, strengthen me to love unconditionally and let my love for those who do not love me just as much draw down on me an overflow of your mercy and favour through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God fill your heart with love.
May you have enough to give those who love you and still meet the needs of those who are spiteful and hostile towards you.
May God's love in your heart heal you of all pains and grant you boundless favours in Jesus' name. Amen.
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