Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Unites Me to His Body
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
How Do I Grow in Ability to Share and Receive
Blessed is the intellect that transcends all sensible objects and ceaselessly delights in divine beauty. St. Maximus the Confessor
Love: The Seed of Transformation
I Cor 13:1-7
If I speak in human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all my possessions to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Grace Prayed For
Lord, grant me the grace to truly embrace your love, not just as a feeling, but as a way of life. Help me to see the sanctifying power of love, transforming me and enabling me to partner with you in the renewal of all creation.
Reflection
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13 paint a vivid picture of love, not as a mere feeling, but as a transformative force. It’s easy to get caught up in the doing – speaking, prophesying, giving – but Paul reminds us that without love, these actions are empty. It’s like having a beautiful garden, but neglecting to plant the seeds of love. The garden might look impressive for a while, but it will lack true life and fruitfulness. Love is the sanctifying grace, quietly working beneath the surface, nourishing and transforming everything it touches.
Think of baptism. We are baptized into Christ, promising to die to sin and rise to new life. This is a radical act of love, both God’s love for us and our response to that love. But how often do we let that initial fire of love dwindle? We get caught up in the weeds of daily life, forgetting the transformative power of that initial promise. The sanctifying grace of love, however, constantly calls us back. It reminds us that our baptismal promises are not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of growth and transformation.
Just as grass slowly but surely covers the earth, love works within us, transforming us from the inside out. It teaches us patience, kindness, humility, and perseverance. It helps us to see others, not as obstacles or annoyances, but as fellow travelers on this journey of faith. It empowers us to forgive, to hope, and to trust, even when it’s hard. And it reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. Jesus, through his death and resurrection, has paved the way for the renewal of all creation. By embracing love, we partner with him in this renewal, becoming agents of transformation in our own lives and in the world around us. We become living examples of God’s kingdom come, a kingdom marked by forgiveness, justice, and peace.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
This scripture passage, when reflected upon through the lens of “sanctifying grace,” leads to greater intimacy with Jesus by revealing His presence in the ordinary and the challenging aspects of our lives. Just as Jesus is present “where two or three are gathered,” He is also present in the humble act of seeking reconciliation and in the persistent effort of cultivating peace. By embracing the call to fraternal correction with humility and patience, we are walking in the footsteps of Jesus, embodying His love and forgiveness, and drawing closer to Him in the shared work of renewing God’s creation.
When Time Allows Reflect on the Posts in Library and Musings
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post