Meditation is an ideal way to pray. Using God's word (Lectio Divina) allows me to hear, listen and reflect on what the Lord wants to say to me - to one of his disciples - just like He did two thousand years ago.
The best time to reflect is at the beginning of the day and for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Prior to going to sleep, read the Mass readings for the next day and then, in the morning, reflect on the Meditation offered on this website.
I hope these daily meditations allow you to know, love and imitate the Lord in a more meaningful way.
God bless you!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

John 15:9-11 Reading The Fine Print

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter.
(Click here for readings)
“Jesus said to his disciples:  “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.  Remain in my love.  …I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
As the Father loves me, so I also love you.  O, to be a disciple of the Lord!  To be loved.  What a feeling of relief and of joy.  What a source of strength, of courage and of gratitude. 
But what about those who do not believe?  What about those who do not know?  “Have no fear,” we say, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”   This is our never-ending love story; that is, a love story with no start and no ending:  for as the Father loves the Son, so the Son loves us.  Can’t I say these same words Christ said to me?  “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.”
Everything Christ said is true.  Everything He said is inspiring and reassuring.  When He spoke He was always uplifting (even when He uplifted the tables of the moneychangers), for love uplifts and uproots.  Love is the creating force behind all life.  It is even the creating force behind death.
As the Father loves me....  Wait a minute!  Wait one darn minute!  Is this what I think it is?  What exactly does this mean?  Is this some legal statement, written in fine print, at the bottom of what appeared to be a great deal; a “too-good-to-be-true” contract?  Is this some kind of false advertizing?
Well, we all know by now how the Father loves His Son.  We all know what the Son went through for His Father; well, to be honest, what He went through for us. 
Yes, this is kind of the bad news mixed in with the Good News.  It’s like, “I have some good news and some bad news.  Which one do you want first?”  No wonder why the Lord is pleading, almost begging, His disciples to remain in Him.  Remain in me!  Okay?  Got it!  Remain in me…
But to be honest, it isn’t good news and bad news.  It’s all Good News.  It’s just that there may be some pain… before there’s any glory; some stinging before any healing.  It’s not bad, but it might feel that way.  It’s all love.
Love doesn’t stink.  It stings.  It hurts.  And it can hurt for a while.  But that is not how love (or the one who loves) ends, at least not Christ’s love.  Christ’s love ends in joy, in forgiveness, in compassion and in mercy.  His love is refreshing.  It is surprising.  It opens the eyes of those who shut them tight, and shuts the mouths of those who opened them wide and for far too long. 
Christ’s love is understandable, yet still hard to follow.  We know He suffered a horrific death, just like so many others; and went through great pains to be understood, just like so many others; and that His life’s fruits were only a few, a tiny few, with even fewer at His side when He died.  But His love endured upon the Cross, and even after death.  And it continues to endure even now, even forever. 
Why?  Because Christ’s love ended in joy, not in pain.  And this can be ours as well, if only we persevere.  No wonder why He said, “Remain in my love…I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” 
Let’s allow Him to complete it, shall we?  Are you ready to sign at the dotted line?
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 2, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    I already did.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 2, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    P.S And I will continue to sign on the dotted line. It only becomes difficult to follow Him when we want our will in exchange for His. But once we we transition our every action, word and deed to His DIVINE WILL, well life becomes bearable, easier and worth living.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina HMay 5, 2013 at 8:20 PM

      Well said anonymous, I agree with you and I hope you, myself and all children of God can hold onto the glory of what we receive when we transition our every action, word and deed to his divine will.

      I am so grateful to Father Alfonse and people like you who are given the ability to explain things in a way that make it easier for people like me to understand.

      God Bless....

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMay 6, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Hi Christina,
    Thank you! It's Katie Giangiulio by the way. How have you been??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina HMay 9, 2013 at 5:12 AM

      Hi Katie, I've been doing better. Thank you for asking and for caring, you have a beautiful heart and it show in everything you say. You have a gift and it helps more people then you realize. Your gift is compassion mixed with the ability to articulate your thought clearly. Not everyone can do that, it is a blessing.

      God Bless you and yours,
      Sincerely, Chris H

      Delete

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