Gospel
JN 13:31-33A, 34-35
“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
If God is glorified in him,
God will also glorify him in himself,
and God will glorify him at once.
My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
“I gave her a share in this love, which is the Holy Spirit, within her will by making her will strong to endure suffering and to leave her house, in My name, to give birth to the virtues for her neighbors. Not that she abandons the house of self-knowledge, but the virtues conceived by the impulse of love come forth from that house. She gives birth to them as her neighbors need them, in many different ways. For the fear she had of not showing herself, lest she lose her own consolation, is gone. After she has come to perfect, free, love, she lets go of herself, and comes out, as I have described."
~ Our Lord to St. Catherine of Siena
Pray
Dear Lord, Help me to go forth from my house with confidence, knowing that you will show me the countless ways that I can love my neighbor. Help me to forget myself and instead, to offer genuine consolation and friendship to those around me.
Act
Do it. See the weary soul, the wisp of hair that needs a gentle tuck, the shoulders that could use a hug. Have the courage to reach out.
~ ~ ~
The internet is a formidable force for bringing the comfort and consolation and hope of the Lord to all of us. It can be an incredibily powerful medium for community. There is an unfathomable resource for prayer here. We have on the 'net the privilege of praying for people and of being witness to the miracles brought forth when fervent, faith-filled people pray for one another.
Let's be that community of hope and faith for one another.
How about this idea? What if I pop in here every weekend, share Sunday's gospel and talk a wee bit about how we can live it and pray it in our homes? And then you tell me how we can pray for you that week? Deal?
{And please, do return and let us know how prayer is bearing fruit.}