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TODAY’S WORD…

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Whoever does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

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– 1 John 4:8 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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Whoever does not love does not know God,

for God is love.

Charity, which is love of God and of our neighbour for God’s sake,

is the one virtue that prepares and disposes us to understand God and all that refers to Him,

as far as it is humanly possible.

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Our Lord gave a new and incomparably deeper meaning to love for our neighbour.

He established it as a New Commandment

and as a sign by which Christians will be known.

Divine love – “As I have loved you” (Jn 13:34) – is the measure of love that we must have for other people;

it is therefore a supernatural love which God Himself places in our hearts.

At the same time it is a deeply human love,

which is enriched and strengthened by grace.

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The supernatural virtue of charity

brings us closer to our neighbour in a very meaningful way,

and it is not mere humanitarianism.

Our love is not to be confused with sentimentality or mere good fellowship,

nor with that somewhat questionable zeal to help others in order to convince ourselves of our superiority.

Rather, it means living in peace with our neighbour,

venerating the image of God that is found in each and every person

and doing all we can

to get them in their turn to contemplate that image,

so that they may learn how to turn to Christ. (St. Josemaria Escriva)

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Do I live the virtue of charity each day?

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Do I perform little acts of service for the people around me?

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Do I try to be pleasant to others?

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Do I say and show that I am sorry when I hurt people?

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Do I spread a feeling of peace and joy?

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Do I help others on their way towards God

or am I, on the contrary, indifferent to them?

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Do I practice the works of mercy by visiting the poor and the sick,

so as to live Christian solidarity with those who suffer?

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Do I care for the needs of the elderly

and am I concerned about people who find themselves on the margin of society?

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In a word, is my normal relationship with God shown in deeds of loving understanding and service to others around me?

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REPETITIVE PRAYER FOR TODAY…

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Jesus, sweet Love Divine, teach me how to love others,

that I may truly love You.

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… … … … … … … … … … … …… …

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Note: The main source of today’s REFLECTION is the seven-volume work

“In Conversation with God” by Padre Francisco Fernández Carvajal.