Day Nineteen
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be vigilant, stay firm in the faith, be brave and strong. Let everything you do be done in love.
Reflection
I remember going to charismatic prayer meetings for the first time and hearing a song, "love, love, love, love, Christians this is your call. Love your neighbour as yourself for God loves us all." Love is our call. As St. Paul writes, we are to do everything in love. Love is not a sugar-coated nice feeling: it is a deep rooted desire for the beloved, a willingness to sacrifice for one's beloved.
Not only are we called to do all things in love, we are also to be vigilant, firm in the faith, brave and strong. What the world needs is strong, loving Christians who are not conformed to this world, but who are conformed to the mind of Christ in all things. We need Christians who will speak and live the truth, to be willing to take a stand on important issues, including pro-life, the sanctity of marriage being between one man and one woman, the dignity of women (against pornography), protecting the innocence of children against abuse in various ways, etc. St. Augustine once wrote, "love, and do what you will." Let us love, then, and make a positive difference in this world and for the kingdom of God.
Prayer
O Jesus, you are my Beloved Savior. Thank you so much for drawing me into the depths of your love, in union with the Father and life-giving Spirit. Transform my heart with the fire of your love and help me to do all things in love.
Amen.
