Love

 

The Spiritual Waiting Room

Love

Deed   Truth

Seek   Boldly   Confidently

Paschal Mystery Within Us

Remain

(Photo and poem by Kathy McNamara)

Scripture:   1 John 3:23 and 24

We should believe in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as Jesus told us. 

Those who follow the commandments remain in Jesus.

Jesus remains in them.

We know that Jesus remains in us because Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit.

Reflection

Jesus has given us a simple message: to love one another. We sometimes ask: why do we have such a hard time following it?

We look at the wars that are waging and ask: where is the love?

We look at people who are homeless and ask: where is the love?

We look at murders and robbery and ask: where is the love?

The author of 1 John gives us the answer---remain in Jesus. If we remain connected to Jesus through our prayer, works of charity, study of God's word, and life of virtue, we will learn to love what Jesus loves. We will be one with Jesus.

Jesus invites us to live the Paschal Mystery as He lived it. We are invited to embrace the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus both in truth and in deed.

Jesus has gifted us with the Holy Spirit. We are one with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit that remains with us so that we can always remain with Jesus.

That power helps us to love in all the challenging situations we face. We know that the wars, the homelessness, the murders, the robberies can be overcome by the power of love.

We have seen love change the hearts of individuals and nations. Jesus calls us to that type of love and remains in us to help us love a little more each day. We know it is not easy; but we also know that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be with us every step of the way.

We are never alone!

1. Why is it so hard to follow the message of Jesus to love one another?

2. How do you try to remain connected to Jesus?

3. How do you live the Paschal Mystery?

4. When have you felt the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

5. What do you feel as you contemplate Kathy's photo?

(Scripture adaptation, reflection, and questions by John J. McNamara)