February 3 - One Bread, One Body
February 3, Fourth Sunday Ordinary Time
Cycle C Readings:
1) Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17
2) 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13
Gospel) Luke 4:21 - 30
Simply love
"There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." — 1 Corinthians 13:13
Life is simple. The meaning of life is love, for God is Love (1 Jn 4:16). All we have to do is to love God with all our hearts (Dt 6:5), love ourselves (Mt 22:39), and love our neighbors (Mt 22:39).
God is easy to love sometimes (see Lk 4:22). But then He speaks the truth in love (see Eph 4:15), and we desire to throw Him over a cliff (Lk 4:29-30). Moreover, we live in the midst of an epidemic of self-hatred. Abortion, euthanasia, alcoholism, addictive behavior, the idolatry of TV addiction, and major influences in our culture of death are obvious or subtle manifestations of self-hatred. Finally, to love our neighbors means to love everyone, including our enemies (Mt 5:43-44).
How can we relate to God, Who is Love, when we are not in love or even loving? "We, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). Do a one-minute crucifix novena. Look at a crucifix for at least one minute a day for nine days. Let the Spirit reveal in a new way Abba's love for you (Gal 4:6; Rm 5:5).
Prayer: Abba, may I live in love and live in You (1 Jn 4:16).
Promise: "If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." —1 Cor 13:3
Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). We adore You forever! Alleluia!
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Imprimatur ("Permission to Publish") for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019.
†Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018.
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.