Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Donna Del Santo
Opening Prayer
Psalm 145 From Psalms for Praying © 2007 Nan C. Merrill
My soul yearns for You,
Eternal Flame of Love,
longing to reconnect to
the Great Mystery!
Every day I will bless You as
I follow the Voice of Truth.
Great are You, who call us to
childlike wonder,
to the healing balm of forgiveness.
Each generation must learn anew
the efficacy of silence,
the wisdom of turning inward,
That your Light might be their
guide to holiness,
and your Love nurture them
toward wholeness.
O, Heart of my heart, envelop me!
I know You are near to all
who call upon You.
Bring to my recollection all that
I have denied,
that I might be accepting
and free
To help rebuild the soul of the world
with radical trust, love,
and wonder!
When I speak, let it be of
blessing and gratitude;
let your glory within me shine
out to the world!
Reading
John 13:34-35
Jesus said: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.
Reflection
John's Gospel does not present a sentimental view of love. This is a type of love that is shown in service and sacrifice. Jesus tells the disciples that all will know that they are his disciples because of the love they show for one another. This description of the early Christian community will be repeated in the Acts of the Apostles: “See how they love one another.” Christian love is the hallmark of Christianity. We see it lived in the witness of the martyrs. We see it in the example of the lives of the saints. We see it in the holy women and men who live and love daily, making small and large sacrifices for others.
Who have been those holy women and men in our life who expressed Jesus’ call to love one another for you?
How have you been an example of Jesus’ call to love one another for others?
Closing Prayer
Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
Give me knowledge; O giver of Knowledge,
That I may be one with my Universe and Mother Earth!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love, O God.
Bless us with your Love.
~Author Unknown
