Day Thirty-One
Colossians 1:3-5
We give thanks for you to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, continually in our prayers, ever since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you show towards all God's holy people because of the hope which is stored up for you in heaven.
Reflection
Faith and love go together. They are sisters. Faith leads us to love and love deepens our faith. These two sister virtues have another sister: hope. Traditionally, these are the three "Theological Virtues." In the end, though, all that will last is love, for in heaven there is no need for faith, nor is there a need for hope, for the object of our faith and hope, the most Blessed Triune God, we will see.
Love, however, will endure for eternity in heaven, for God is love and the saints love God and love one another in a perpetual communion that will never end. We have such a blessed hope awaiting us if we are faithful to Christ and live in union with His love. We, while still on this earth, must follow St. Paul's example and pray continually for one another, for life is a great battle and satan, our opponent, does not sleep, but, like a roaring lion, seeks to destroy us. We need not fear, though, for God is on our side and we are more than conquerers in Christ our Redeemer.
Prayer
Lord, please deepen my faith, hope and love. "My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you." (Angel's prayer at Fatima) In Jesus' name,
Amen.
