1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10
Psalm 149:1-6, 9
Matthew 23:13-22
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WHAT LOVE MEANS BY LOVE
"We constantly are mindful before our God and Father of the way you are proving your faith, and laboring in love, and showing constancy of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." —1 Thessalonians 1:3
Jesus, being God, is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). However, love is not necessarily what many people in our culture think it is. “The way we came to understand love was that He laid down His life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 Jn 3:16). As Dostoyevsky said, “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing.” Love is not superficial and selfish but rather is sacrificial, unconditional, all-consuming (see Heb 12:29), crucified, infinite, and mysterious. True love is much more than “a many-splendored thing.”
Because God is Love, He is not only tender but also has wrath (see 1 Thes 1:10) — not as we are angry but in a way unique to God. Because God is Love, He is the just Judge Who will pay us the wages of sin, that is, death and damnation. Because God is Love, He is the Truth (see Jn 14:6). In love, He will, if necessary, call us “frauds” (Mt 23:13, 15), “blind guides” (Mt 23:16), “blind fools” (Mt 23:17), and hypocrites (Mk 7:6). Because God is Love, He died on the cross for us and calls us to be crucified with Him (Gal 2:19).
Let us accept the courage to live in love (Jn 15:9), as the Lord Who is Love means love.
Prayer: Father, consume me in Your love.
Promise: "Our preaching of the gospel proved not a mere matter of words for you but one of power; it was carried on in the Holy Spirit and out of complete conviction." —1 Thes 1:5
Praise: St. Augustine wrote, "O Eternal Truth, True Love and Beloved Eternity, You are my God."
(For a related teaching on Love, listen to, download or order our CD 58-1 or DVD 58 on our website.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant the "Nihil Obstat" ("Permission to Publish") for "One Bread, One Body."
In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period August 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 4, 2023
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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