Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Luke 11:42-46
“I just feel like the Catholic faith is all about suffering,” I once lamented to a friend. My experience at harsh Catholic schools had me under the false impression that to be a good Catholic, you must endure drastic suffering.
“It’s not all about suffering,” my friend replied. “It’s all about love.” Her words echoed the concept that great saints like St. Thérèse of Lisieux reiterated over and over again. That is, even the most extreme trials, if endured without love, are meaningless. But even the most minor inconveniences, if accepted lovingly, are of infinite value.
In today’s gospel, Jesus informs the Pharisees that they neglect the love of God. This is not a hard sin to fall into. Every time we fail to love someone else, we are failing to love God. When I allow myself to stew in resentment toward my husband because I’ve been with the kids all day, I’m failing to love God. When I angrily snap at my kids, I’m failing to love God.
Conversely, when I choose instead to feel love and gratitude toward my husband and text him, “Thank you for working so hard to provide for us,” I’m also loving God. When I hug my kids and offer them tenderness, even in the midst of my anger, I’m also loving God.
When we open our eyes, we see that our days are laden with opportunities to love others and therefore, love God. How we’re called to love will look different in different circumstances, but the point is to choose love especially when we’re tempted to choose the opposite.
Ponder:
Who in my life am I being called to love better, and through them, to love God better?
Pray:
Merciful Lord, please forgive me for the times that I neglect to love You and others. Open my heart to love like You do.
Copyright 2021 Elizabeth Pardi
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