My Thoughts on 05/01/2021

I write this on the eleventh day of Christmas and the eve of another lockdown. Here are the words of St John in today’s first reading.

This has taught us love –
that Jesus gave up his life for us;
and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers (and sisters).
If a man who was rich enough in this world’s goods
saw that one of his brothers was in need,
but closed his heart to him,
how could the love of God be living in him?
My children,
our love is not to be just words or mere talk,
but something real and active;
only by this can we be certain
that we are children of the truth.

I pray that any fear and anxiety that I feel may not blind me to the need of others around me. We are blessed that we are still able to visit the church for adoration and the celebration of Mass in this new lockdown. Whether we pray at home or are able to come to the church know that God is close to us and his spirit continues to strengthen us in our life of love.

“The Lord will guard you from evil; he will guard your soul. The `Lord will guard your going and coming, both now and forever.” Psalm 121.