SPIRITUAL REFLECTION: Seeing Faithfully
The Arc of the Covenant Above
If anyone says, "I love God," but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God who he has not seen. 1John 4:20
Often times we imagine we see God in nature, or in Church, or in others. But John writes here if you don't love one of your brothers or sisters for whatever reason you are a liar. For me, this is true. I don't always see G-d in people who are ugly to me, or in an annoying neighbor, in someone homeless, sick, in prison and hardest of all, an enemy.
If all I love is pure, good, safe and convenient I will never see the G-d who is present in someone's need. So, I will not see G-d or be able to accept him who loves us unconditionally. To love your neighbor as yourself requires that your eyes always be open wide, judging not, just like Blessed Mother Teresa claimed that she never judged because she didn't want to be judged.
Lord, give me the grace to see all that I see, need, do and have.
Strengthen me to be your presence to everyone I meet today!
Charlie,
I don't know if you would like to do this or not, but you can have a group on this site devoted tospirituality. If you are interested, let me know so I can help you set it up!
Yes, Perrie, that would be a good idea. I usually write for or five Spiritual Reflections a week. Sometimes about the Mass readings, and sometimes just something that hits me when I am reading. I'm still trying to figure out some things here. For example:The block-quote doesn't isolate the other writers words? Is it supposed to?
Oh, I see the quote is different than the BODY text