|
Saint John sees that it is possible for the love of God to become perfect in us. This does not mean that we on earth love God perfectly. It means that God's love for us can reach its objective, making us holy in imitation of Jesus Christ. The very simple language of this First Letter of Saint John proposes high ideals for our spiritual lives.
At the last supper, Jesus seems to have gone beyond the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament to announce a higher ideal, that we should love each other as he loved us. This higher ideal does not reduce the importance of the Ten Commandments. Rather, it contains within itself these Commandments and all their demands. In the first part of the letter, St. John reminds us of the need to keep the Commandments. In chapter 4, however, which we read today, he has gone beyond that level to talk more intimately about the love of God for us, reminding us that God is love.
God our Father, by the light of Your Spirit, guide us to a deeper understanding of the new commandment of Jesus, so that we may truly love each other as He has loved us.
|
|
DAILY OFFERING
|
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
|
|
PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
|
INTENTION
That all men and women may recognise that they are members of God's one family and end wars, injustice and discrimination among themselves.
Elaboration
|
|
