TODAY’S WORD…

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

– 1 John 3:10

REFLECTION…

“Children of the devil”: this, in the common Semitic way of speaking, means “the devil’s supporters” – basically, those who wilfully do what they know is wrong and immoral; those who encourage and promote immorality and what is dishonest and unlawful.

“Children of God” refers here, primarily, to the moral dimension of Christian life, as a description of those whose actions show they are on God’s side – i.e. the opposite of “the children of the devil”.

The distinguishing criteria are, therefore, the practice of righteousness, that is, striving for holiness and fighting against sin, as well as having a loving, kindly and merciful attitude towards people.

Although it is very much our choice which side to be on, it is through God’s grace that we can distinguish, acknowledge, and choose the Truth.

QUOTE…

“This is the great boldness of the Christian faith – to proclaim the value and dignity of human nature and to affirm that we have been created to obtain the dignity of children of God…”

– St. Josemaria Escriva

PRAYER…

Father in Heaven, I want to be Your child.

I want to be recognised as one belonging to Your family;

to act as a member of Your family should;

to love in the way You, Abba, taught me how to love.

Father, forgive me my sins and help me sin no more.

Help me love all others,

also those who have hurt me or who do not return my love.

Abba, Father, I love You.