Reading I 1 Jn 2:3-11
Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
REFLECTION
"Whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked."
In the Gospel passage, the righteous and devout Simeon was “guided by the Holy Spirit”. He trusted the Lord and was willing to be open to His promptings.
We are told that to know Jesus is by keeping His commandments. The Holy Spirit convicts us of this need and shows us how. He brings us from darkness to light.
PAPA prays for our priests to be sanctified by walking just as Jesus did. And we are asked to live the same. Some simple actions!
Avoid accumulating too many possessions. Don’t drive the most expensive car.
Be less concerned about yourself and more about service to others.
Do not be afraid to speak up for the unborn, the poor and the marginalized.
Be willing to make mistakes and to look foolish at times.
Follow the commandments and the tenets of the Church.
St Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica, says, “The bread which you withhold belongs to the hungry: the clothing you shut away, to the naked: and the money you bury in the earth is the redemption and freedom of the penniless.”
Thought for the day: God never forces Himself on anyone; even those whom He has given much. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir up in the priests and us the grace of our vocations.
God bless you.
