Power of Love

Earlier this week, we heard about the importance of love for our work as priests, for our lives as Christians.

Today’s feast reminds us to be filled from the source of that love.

Images of Tender Love

Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

Hosea 11:3 “Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms.”

But:

God wrestles with himself over what to do about his wayward son

Hosea 11:9 “I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.”

Images of Powerful Love

Ephesians 3:11–12 “… the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”

That you may be strengthened,

with power through his Spirit … .

to comprehend the breadth and length

and height and depth

and to know the love of Christ

that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

Sometimes

We professional religious

forget to listen to our own preaching and advice;

that God also invites us to “be filled with all the fulness of God.”

and be lifted by his love and supported by his strength.

May we used the opportunity of this celebration

To remember the love with which we have been loved

And to be renewed by the love of Christ and empowered to share it with

those whom we serve and those with swim were live.