THE BEGINNING OF TRUE LOVE

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Readings:

Hosea 5:15-6:6

Psalm 51:3-4,18-21

Luke 18:9-14

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The difference between a person who has a relationship with God and one who does not is “Why” and “What”. “Why” means I know what I want from God, and He ought to do it for me. ‘What’ states that my life is in God’s hands and I will do what He says. This is a challenge for most people today because we already have our lives thought out; we know what we want to be and what we want to do. We just want God to come along for the ride. But are we sure we know what we want? Are the things you are attached to going to make you happy?

Jesus makes it clear in today’s Gospel that there are two ways to pray; we can either pray like the Pharisee or pray like the Publican (tax collector). The Pharisee justified himself and presumed that he knew what God wanted him to do, and went on stating all the things he had done for God. Listen to the Pharisee’s prayer: “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get” (Luke 18:10). We are told that he said this prayer to himself (not to God). The Publican, who did not presume that he knew what God wanted, said a very simple prayer: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” His prayer was an act of submission to God. He was not attached to his opinion of what God should do for him. Rather, he disposed himself to reconcile with God and then to do whatever God requires of him. This is what it means to love, and it is the kind of sacrifice that pleases God.

“What I want is love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts” (Hosea 6:6). We should never presume we know what God expects of us. A relationship that is built on presumption or is one-sided in its expectations soon dies from a lack of mutual commitment. Allow God to speak to you. Let His words touch your heart. Dispose yourself to be used by God. Continue to work out your salvation in holy fear and dedication.

Here are some practical steps you can take today in your relationship with God:

• Go to confession and make peace with God.

• Reconcile with those you may have hurt with your words and actions.

• Put your gifts at the service of others —this way, you are responding to God in the needs of his brethren.

Your prayer should always be an act of submission to God (“Lord, what do you want me to do, where do you wish for me to serve?”).

JUDE-MARY OWOH

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To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer out loud. “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! You are welcome into the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.

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Prayer:

1. I pray that you will spend all your days in God’s presence, that you will dispose yourself to be used by God. May your life be a living sacrifice, pleasing to God. May God honour you and drive evil far from you. You will always enjoy divine assistance and direction in your life through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2. The beginning of true love is a disposition to the possibility of what God will do with you. Eternal Father, what do you want from me? Where do you wish for me to serve? How do you want me to prepare myself for my task? Reveal to me your will and purpose for my life ,and I will do as you will through Christ our Lord. Amen.