We love and we evangelize because

[MariaChristi]

Thursday after Epiphany - Reading: 1 JN 4:19–5:4

Beloved, we love God because
He first loved us.
If anyone says, “I love God,”
but hates his brother, he is a liar;
for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen
cannot love God whom he has not seen.
This is the commandment we have from Him:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.

This Mass Reading is a reminder for all of us, it seems to me, to remember Who needs to be first in our lives, and why. Especially if we are to share the Good News of Christ with others, we need to know Him Who sent Jesus and why Jesus send us as His Church. “Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christ” wrote St. Jerome and so in this new year of 2016, in this Jubilee Year of Mercy, I hope to begin again, with Mary as Mother and Model for the Church, to “keep all these things in my heart” ( cf Luke 2:51). By God’s Grace I want to know, love and serve God better this year than last. I want to learn more deeply by the power of His Holy Spirit to “be merciful as our Father is Merciful” (cf Luke 6:36). I want to remember that as Bl. Pope Paul VI wrote: “The Church exists to evangelize”. May the Light of Christ shine more brightly through His Church this year, that God be glorified and all of us know, love and serve Him, Who loved us first!

Mary, our Mother, you journeyed in faith, help us to grow in Christ as you did on this earth.
Mary, Mother of Mercy, help us to remain in His Word as you did, and to do the Truth we hear, loving God and one another.
Jesus, we trust in You!

 

[Richard_White]

Very lovely indeed! We must always remember that our purpose is to know, love, and serve God and to spread His Gospel and His Light to all the world.

May God bless you always!

 

[MariaChristi]

Very lovely indeed! We must always remember that our purpose is to know, love, and serve God and to spread His Gospel and His Light to all the world.

May God bless you always!

Dear Richard,

Thanks for your reply. A holy priest once said: “If we really believed God loved us, we would live different lives”. He was absolutely correct, it seems to me.

May we daily imlore the Holy Spirit: “Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Your faithful, kindle in us the Fire of Your Love…” Let us love God who has loved us so much! and let us love Him through Mary, who loves Him perfectly.