“We Love Because He First Loved Us”
“For the Souls in Purgatory – Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord”
1 John 4:13-21
This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence for the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. We love 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.
Grace Prayed For
The scripture passage prompts the reader to pray for the grace to accept and believe in the unconditional, perfect love of God, and to allow that love to drive out all fear. We are invited to pray for the grace to see every person as a brother or sister, and to be a living sign of God’s love to them, fulfilling the commandment to love one another.
Reflection
Let this passage from John’s letter settle deep within your heart. It’s not a dry theological treatise; it’s a love letter from the very heart of God. John doesn’t just tell us about God’s love; he invites us to experience it, to be drenched in it. Think of those words: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.” It’s an invitation to a personal encounter.
Imagine Jesus looking at you, right now, with eyes full of a love so profound it healed the sick, forgave sinners, and willingly embraced the cross. This is the love that first loved you. Before you were aware, before you did anything to deserve it, He desired to save you. He sent His Son, not to condemn, but as “savior of the world.” He sent Him for you.
This isn’t a passive love; it’s a love that transforms. It’s an embrace so secure that it “drives out fear.” What are you afraid of today? The future? Your past? The judgment of others? Jesus’ perfect love has already won the victory. He doesn’t want you to live in fear; He wants you to live in the confidence of His embrace. This is the grace to “allow God to act freely in me”—to let go of my fears and my need to control, and instead, to rest in His saving love.
And from this intimate encounter, this overflowing of love, a mission is born. John reminds us that “whoever loves God must also love his brother.” My love for others is the living, breathing proof of my love for God. It’s the fruit of His love for me. Jesus didn’t just love me so that I could feel good about myself; He loved me so that I could become a channel of that love to a world starving for it. Every person I meet today, every single encounter, is a chance for His love, His saving presence, to flow through me. My life, now filled with His love, becomes a testament, a living reflection of the One who first loved me.
Announcing Jesus in Our Lives
Evangelizing in our daily lives doesn’t require a pulpit or a profound sermon. It’s about being a partner with Jesus, a restorer of creation, in small, tangible ways. I can proclaim the Gospel message by:
- Practicing radical listening: Truly hearing a person’s story, their joys and their struggles, without judgment.
- Offering genuine encouragement: A kind word, a sincere compliment, or a simple “I’m praying for you” can be a powerful witness.
- Serving with a joyful heart: Whether it’s helping a neighbor with groceries, volunteering, or simply doing my job with excellence, my actions can reflect the love of Christ.
- Forgiving freely: Letting go of grudges and extending mercy, just as Jesus has done for me, breaks down walls and builds bridges.
- Being a peacemaker: Seeking to de-escalate conflict and bring people together, even in small ways.
Through these simple acts, my life becomes a testament to how Jesus has impacted me, how His love has transformed me from a person driven by fear to a person motivated by love. I am a living witness to the fact that Jesus desires to save me and everyone I encounter.
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