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Love of the Father

Do you know the love that produces immeasurable joy? Jesus speaks of the love which the Father and he have for those who belong to him. We can never outgive God in love, because he has loved us without measure. Our love for him is a response to his exceeding mercy and kindness towards us. Paul the Apostle tells us that we can abound in joy and hope because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:5). In God’s love we find the fulness of grace, life, peace, and joy. Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment — a new way of love. We are to love others as Jesus has loved us. What is the essence of this new commandment? True love is sacrificial. It gives all to the beloved. And there is no greater proof in love than the sacrifice of one’s life for the sake of another. Jesus proved his love for his disciples by giving his life for them, even to death on the cross. We prove our love for God and for one another when we embrace the way of the cross. What is the cross in my life? When my will crosses with God’s will, then God’s will must be done. Do you know the joy and contentment of a life fully surrendered to God and consumed with his love?

Reflection written by Don Schwager of www.rc.net

One Bread, One Body

<< Thursday, May 10, 2012 >>

St. Damien of Molokai
Saint of the Day

Acts 15:7-21
View Readings

Psalm 96:1-3, 10

John 15:9-11

AUTHORITY OR DARKNESS?

"After much discussion, Peter took the floor." —Acts 15:7

For centuries, the Jewish people had been taught not to associate with Gentiles. This was based on the Bible (see Is 52:11). After Pentecost, the Jewish Christians were told that the Gentiles had been given the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8). This indicated that Jewish Christians should accept Gentile Christians as brothers and sisters (see Eph 3:6). James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, said that this was based on the Bible (Acts 15:15-16; Am 9:11). Thus, there were two very different, authoritative, seemingly contradictory interpretations of the Bible on a point of extreme significance. What was the truth? What was God's will?

The early Christians were able to rise above their cultural biases and personal limitations because they were in submission to the Church. They were in submission to their local church leaders, who were in submission to Peter, the apostles, and the elders in Jerusalem (see Acts 15:2). Only in this way did the early Christians understand the Biblical revelation concerning the Gentiles' part in God's plan of salvation.

Private interpretation of the Bible did not work in critical situations of the New Testament Church. Private interpretation does not work today as very holy and learned people disagree on such important matters as the meaning of the Eucharist, the indissolubility of marriage, the nature of authority in the Church, the importance of liturgy, the role of women in the Church, etc. We need to be in submission to an authoritative Church with one final authority, the Pope. Otherwise, we cut ourselves off from the fullness of God's revelation.

Prayer: Father, may I rejoice in the light which comes from submission to the Pope and the Church.

Promise: "All this I tell you that My joy may be yours and your joy may be complete." —Jn 15:11

Praise: St. Damien gave dignity, the Eucharist, and, ultimately, his life to those lepers he served on the island of Molokai.