Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Love Transforms Communities and Relationships

Bible Reading:  Rom 12: 9-21

Key Verse Vs 16 

Vs 16 Live in harmony with one another.
 
DEVOTION

Today’s theme for reflection is ‘Love in action.’ The word ‘love’ is an overused word and as such it has lost its real meaning and its action in our daily living. In English we only have one word for love, but  Greeks have seven words to express different emotions involved in love such as eros, philia, ludus, agape, pragma, philotimo, and storge. C. S. Lewis in his book, ‘Four Loves,’ writes about emotions involved in  friendship, affection, Eros and charity. Charity is the gift love of God; Gift love and agape are supreme aspects of love. The most important understanding of love is our knowledge and faith that “God is love” (I Jn 4:8).
When Pharisees questioned Jesus about the greatest commandments, Jesus reduced the whole commandments to just two: “Love your God with all your hear and all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment. And the second is like this love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22: 36-40; Mk 12: 28-34; Lk 10:25-37). This new testament verses encapsulate the essence of love and highlight its importance in leading and  fulfilling a spiritual life.
Love serves as the cornerstone of human relationship, building a deep sense of belonging within communities. In this way communities become vibrant   hubs of mutual support and understanding. Enriching lives of all who belong to these communities. Love encourages compassion, generosity, build mutual relationships, and cultivate forgiveness and healing. Love has the power to shape our interactions, and transforms the world by following the values of the kingdom of God.
We have been told through sermons on different occasions in our churches that  the greatest thing in religious life is faith.  However,  in The 13th Chapter of 1 Corinthians, St. Paul expresses various aspects of love and tells us what love is and what love is not.  He concludes the chapter with the following: “And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” He signals out love as the supreme good.
 St. Paul describes various practical  aspect  of ‘love in action’ in the verses selected for today’s reflection. “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil: cling to what is good.  Be devoted  to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Rom 12: 9-10).

PRAYER

O God our dear loving  Father, we thank thee for Thy amazing love. Your greatness and love overwhelm us. You take us out of  ourselves into the light of your being which blinds us with it brightness.  We are held by your overwhelming love and kindness. Unto Thee, the God of love and mercy, be glory and praise for ever and ever.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord and our savior we pray.  Amen.
 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you. Put peace into each other’s hands:
the peace that sought and found you”( Fred Kaan.)



Dr. Zac Varghese, Sinai MTC,   North London

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