Day Nine
Romans 5:8
So it is proof of God's own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Reflection
Jesus gave us the supreme example of love on the cross: He gave his life for our salvation. He paid the price our sins deserved: death. The human race was immersed in sin at the time of Christ, yet He still came to earth to redeem the world. We cannot save ourselves by our own good deeds: It is Christ who saves, Christ who delivers from sin, Christ who gives new life, Christ who loved us enough to lay down His life on the cross.
We are asked by the Lord to love the way He does: loving all people, even our enemies. We are to lay down our lives as a sacrificial offering to God in service of our brothers and sisters. We are to forgive those who offend us, to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile, to carry our cross, to deny ourselves. We are to die to ourselves and live for Christ. Catherine Doherty, the foundress of Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario, used to write a small message on all the doorposts of her home: "I am third." What she meant was: God is first in my life, others are second, and I am third.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me so much that you died for me to forgive me of all my sins. Help me to share in your victory over sin and death and pour out my life in service to my brothers and sisters, using the talents you have given to me.
Amen.