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Tuesday, January 7, 2003

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St. Raymond of Penyafort


1 John 4:7-10
Psalm 72
Mark 6:34-44

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"god is love"

"In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as expiation for our sins." —1 John 4:10

God loved the world so much (see Jn 3:16) that He:

  • created us,
  • became a human being,
  • died on the cross for us,
  • rose from the dead for us,
  • offers us a share in His divine nature through Baptism (2 Pt 1:4),
  • forgives all our sins,
  • makes it possible for us to be His sons and daughters,
  • invites us to be members of His body, the Church,
  • wants us to live in Him and He in us (see Jn 6:56),
  • gives us His body and blood in Holy Communion,
  • wants to make us a "royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Pt 2:9), and
  • will return to take us to the perfect love and happiness of heaven.

God is indeed Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16), and there is no greater love than His perfect, infinite, unconditional, eternal love. "We love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). Therefore, let us live in His love (Jn 15:9-10) and love one another (1 Jn 4:7), especially our enemies. Let us love even to the point of laying down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 3:16). Remain in Love and remain in God (1 Jn 4:16).

Prayer:  Father, on this Christmas day, give me "love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith." —1 Tm 1:5

Promise:  "In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him." —1 Jn 4:9

Praise:  St. Raymond encouraged: "As you drink the cup of the Lord Jesus (how glorious it is!), give thanks to the Lord, the Giver of all blessings."

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002