Thursday 9 January 2025

Today is Thursday the 9th of January in the season of Christmas. The Cape Town Camerata sings 'Ubi Caritas': Wherever love is true, God is there. Today’s reading is from the First Letter of John. 1 John 4:19-5:4 We love because he first loved us. Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. What stands out for you in today’s passage? Is there a word or phrase you are drawn to? Perhaps you are challenged. It’s not always easy to love the unlovable. And, if truth be said, often we might be the “unlovable” ones! Try and focus on the love of God. You might like to imagine a conversation between the Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - as they observed the chaos in the world. What do you think made them decide to become one of us? Listen to the passage again. Do you feel it’s your duty to love others, or does your love come from a joy in knowing that you yourself are loved so much? ‘His commandments are not burdensome’. What is your reaction to those words? Speak with God. You might have some long-held regret, or hurt, over a relationship - on a personal level, or a corporate one. You could bring that burden to God and allow God’s love into the situation. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.