The Power Of One … God Loves You!
One of the very first spiritual lessons we learn in life as children is that “God is love.”
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” –1 John 4:8
These 12 words are very powerful and need to be taken to heart. If you know God, then you will understand the meaning of love.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-40
The expectations we place on ourselves make the second part of this commandment difficult. Do you truly love yourself? It is hard to love another person if you do not first love yourself. How sad God must feel when we do not follow these simple commandments.
When we insult one another or fail to recognize our own self worth, we are really condemning what God has created. If someone or something has failed you and made you feel disheartened, please remember – God wants you healed and at peace! He loves you!
Although February has fewer days than all the other months, there are many things to celebrate; among them are: Candlemas, Ground Hog Day, President’s Day, Black History Month, American Heart Month; and most enjoyed by many is Valentine’s Day. Sending flowers, candy, and cards of love and affection may boost the economy, but Feb. 14 also can be an awesome day if you have someone to be in love with.
But do you realize that every day is a day to love, because God shares His love with us? Being in love with God can change you!
The love of money, material possessions, career and notoriety can lead us down a path of perilous consequences if we are not balanced with the light of Christ. There is so much sadness in the world, as we see in the news every day. The slightest thing can change the direction of our life.
In Psalm 27 we read: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Souls who follow this light do not fall into the darkness of sin.
We also need to teach our children about the words Jesus cried out to his disciples: “Whoever believes in Me believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. – John 12:44How different life would be if we communicated this to our children and lived it ourselves?
The message we sometimes find in the world of entertainment, especially from Hollywood, is very different. We innocently amuse ourselves with music, movies, award shows, halftime entertainment during the Super Bowl, and whatever we can find on television – but to what detriment to our minds? Be careful about falling into the trap of indecency; it can be illusive, and very harmful to our children.
Blessed Pope John XXIII said, “Christianity is the meeting point of earth and heaven.” This poignant message comes with great responsibility. God asks only one thing of us … to love! There is power in our believing in the love of God; there is power in our prayers; and this “Power of One” can change the meeting point of earth and heaven, the world we live in.
How would your life be different if
n you spent one hour in prayer outside of Mass per week?
n you would spend onehour of service in parish ministry each week?
n you would offer one hour of wages earned each week to the Church?
Again, the slightest thing can change the direction of your life!
This weekend, the Diocese of Evansville is sponsoring a “Teens Encounter Christ Weekend” at St. Mary’s Parish in Ireland. Pray for the success of TEC #86; it is the perfect opportunity to help young people understand how being in love with Jesus can change their lives. You can find more information about this important ministry at http://www.switec.org/.
Getting involved with TEC would be a great way to contribute to the “Power of One” that is connecting earth and heaven!
And please remember, God loves you! Amen!
