Thursday, March 10, 2016

Extra Effort


The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031016.cfm) reminds me how important it is to love, especially when extra effort is needed. 

It is easy to love good people. Family and friends who are dear to you. Officemates who treat you well. Church mates who respect you. However, loving the unlovable is a different thing. It is difficult to love those who are saying bad things against you, behind your back. It is difficult to love those who disrespect you. It is difficult to love criminals. However, God wants us to. These are the people God wants us to love. 

God wants us to love the unlovable. Love that requires extra effort is very powerful. 

In the first reading, this is what Moses did. The people were doing evil things. They were turning away from God. That is why God wants to punish them all. Come to think of it, this would make Moses' life easier. No more hard headed and hard hearted people to lead. However, instead of agreeing with God, he begged to spare them. He interceded for them. And God heard him, and the people were saved. 

In our lives, there are a lot of unlovable people. We think that the best we can do is not go down to their level. To not fight them. To love them from afar. But God wants us to love them actively, to intercede for them and make God's love more real and more alive in their lives. 

This lent, may we be willing to love others, especially when extra effort is required from us. 

 
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not love the unlovable. Sorry for the times iI wish evil would befall them. Sorry for not loving others the way you love sinners like me. I ask that you continue to love me. Continue to be patient with me. Fill me with your love, so that I can share it and love others the way you want me to, no matter how many extra effort is required to do so. Amen. 
 

Blessed day!
 
In Christ,
-g-

Ps
See related reflection:
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/06/be-perfect.html
http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/05/love-one-another_10.html

 

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