Thursday, January 8, 2015

Thursday after Epiphany

“Beloved, we love God because he first loved us.” - 1 JN 4:19

St. Irenaeus once said, “The life in man is the glory of God; the life of man is the vision of God.”  As we come to celebrate this season of Epiphany, God reveals himself to us, in us.  God’s tender love manifested in a vulnerable child reminds us of our need to recognize majesty in simplicity, poverty, and fragility.  This mystery of God’s incarnation invites us to recognize that the glory of God is to faithfully live out our vocation as Christians—a vocation rooted faith, hope, and love.  As a Jesuit superior of mine constantly told me, “Trust in your goodness.” 

It can be easy to doubt our goodness or the goodness of others.   We are easily swayed by judgment, criticism, or temptation that may move us towards envy, self-pity, or anger.  During those times, we must remember that love originated from God, and that God always loved us first.  By celebrating the gift of our life, and the lives of those we cherish, God is present.  How do you celebrate your goodness?  How do you celebrate the goodness of others?  What graces do you need to accept shortcomings, or the shortcomings of friends or family?

Lord, help me to trust in your love.

Reflected by Alex Llanera, S.J.

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