Sunday, March 4th
Scripture
Ex 20:1-17; Ps 19:8-11;
I Cor 1:22-25; Jn 2:13-25
Reflection
You shall have no other God before me…
for I am a jealous God, punishing children
for the iniquity of parents… but showing
steadfast love to the thousandth generation
of those who love me and
keep my commandments. Ex 20:3-6
How consoling it is that God’s great love for us pierces through the negative
commands in Exodus. Something like that piercing through of God’s love
happened to me a few months ago as a good friend lay dying. In her weakness,
she gestured for me to lean down to hear her. Never will I forget her
words, “I love you.” Elsewhere in scripture the commandments are reduced
to two: love the Lord thy God with your whole soul and strength, and your
neighbor as yourself. Such is the power of love that it replaces all the dos
and donts of God’s commandments. Psychologists tell us much of the violence
done by individuals comes from their not feeling loved. We have the
power to express God’s love to others just as my dying friend did. What a
tremendous gift!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for the many persons—family
members and friends—who have expressed your love
to me over the years. Please help me express that love
to others in words and actions. Open my heart to accept
the love others offer to me through what they say and do.
Personal Challenge
Today I will offer love to another by a kind word or action.
Karen Kennelly, CSJ
St. Paul, MN
