Dear Friends,
Let’s think forward today realizing the command of Jesus to love.
To love our enemies is the essential dimension of being a follower of Jesus (Matthew Chapter 7)
Love of enemies is the essential meaning of the Cross.
If we do not love our enemies we neither understand who Jesus is,
why he lived,
why he died,
what his message is,
and we can have no part with him.
This morning, I just offer a beautiful hymn for your reflection that touched me in the Magnificat prayer book I use.
Love that bears another’s burden,
Love that shares another’s pain,
Love that heeds another’s struggle,
Love that seeks another’s gain:
Love like this reveals Christ Jesus
As the Law that will remain.
Love that hears another’s weeping,
Love that dries another’s tears,
Love that spares another sorrow,
Love that calms another’s fears:
Love like this reveals Christ Jesus
As God’s mercy down the years.
Love that offers first forgiveness,
Love that soon forgets a wrong,
Love that laughs in all rejoicing,
Love that sings in ev’ry song:
Love like this reveals Christ Jesus
As the heart where we belong.
(author not mentioned)
As we remember 9 / 11,
we also remember Jesus’ words:
“Unless a grain of wheat dies and falls into the ground
it cannot bear fruit
but if it dies it will yield a rich harvest (John 12:24).
Life always renews itself. From death — through dying there is always a rising
and new life.
And I just simply add:
Forgive us, Lord!
Forgive us all!
No one is without sin,
without failures in love.
Let forgiveness move us forward to build a new humanity.
Now here is Celine Dion singing God Bless America.
Bob Traupman
Contemplative writer
Father Bob's Reflections 