“Do not be afraid… for I am with you”
God’s words to Paul came with both a promise and a truth during those days in Corinth – “No one will attack and harm you, for I have many people in this city.” At this point Paul had suffered much for the Name, and he would suffer again – gladly I might add.
God is With Us
The promise God gave Paul is the same promise God gives us today – he is with us. And most importantly, given this promise we have nothing to fear. Sounds like an open and shut case doesn’t it? Since God is with us we should be living free of fear. If it is indeed true that God is with us, and it is, then why do we still experience fear? And how can we overcome fear and step into the promise God offers? Well, I think our first reading today offers a clue – “…for I have many people in this city.”
It appears that if there are many of God’s people in our cities then we can live free of fear. After all, that is what God said to Paul. If this is true, and it is, then what does it mean to be one of God’s people? And how can we become one of them? At first blush we may think that desiring God is required, again, this is true. However, being one of God’s people is much more than simply desiring God. We must grow in our ability to love like God loves. Looking at the words of his Son we can develop a deeper understanding into the matter.
Jesus’ Commandments
Jesus gave us two commandments. Love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Then he told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. As I reflect on these two commandments something jumps out at me. Jesus gave us the most important mission we will ever embark upon in our lifetime – love God above all else. Or, to take from Saint Augustine from his sermon on love – “Love (God) and do what you will.” Then Jesus, being the perfect teacher, told us how we are to accomplish this type of love and become God’s people – we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. It all comes back to love – real love.
So let’s take this in reverse order. In order to love God we must learn how to love our neighbor as ourselves. This means that we must start by loving ourselves. Such love includes forgiving ourselves. Sometimes we are indeed our own worst critic. How many times have we received God’s forgiveness only to administer personal condemnation through internal negative self-talk. Alas, it is all too easy to believe the lie that we are not worthy of forgiveness – even after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation none the less. Boy do we need a savior…
Self-Forgiveness and Self-Love
Self-forgiveness must begin with the truth that Jesus Christ dwells within us. While I could never understand the mind of Jesus Christ, I am pretty sure he never told himself he is not worthy of love, he is not good enough, or he is bad. Jesus, after all, knew who he was when he walked the earth as a human being – he was God’s beloved Son, wholly worthy of his Father’s love. And being the second person of the Trinity he is love itself.
If the One who authored forgiveness on the Cross dwells within us, then we must be, by way of the same Cross, worthy of forgiveness – and love I might add. And the beautiful thing about loving ourselves is the goal Jesus laid out for us. Growing in self-love doesn’t stop with us. When we experience internal love we then become free to allow love to expand externally to our neighbor. In turn, we love God who dwells within our neighbor. Loving God is really a circular love that begins and ends with our Triune God.
Love Christ who dwells within us => Love of self => receive freedom to love our neighbor => love of neighbor => love of God who dwells within our neighbor => love of God. Mission accomplished!
If we are going to become God’s people we must become immersed in his love. Being human we are going to need the support of divine love on our journey into this divine immersion. We are immersed in the Holy Spirit, that love between the Father and the Son as they gaze upon their creation, every moment of our lives. All we need to do is reach out with surrender. In this perfect love there is no room for fear. It’s a journey worth traveling and a journey our soul years to take. And in the words of Julian of Norwich – God has a surprise for us and all will be well.
Global Light For Christ
Our little community, Global Light for Christ, keeps growing in love! If you need help forgiving or loving yourself and you would like prayers please leave your petition below – or any other petition of course! We are a community coming together, loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.
Spiritual Friendships: I have recently started a Spiritual Friendship Circle. We meet once a month in my home to support each other on our spiritual journey. If you live in the area consider this your invitation. Click here for further information. However, I do recognize that many of you do not live near me – a vast understatement of course! Perhaps God is calling you to begin, or participate in, a Spiritual Friendship Circle? I think it is a great way to love ourselves and our neighbors all the while loving God:-)
God bless all of you. See you next week Friday – Carolyn
God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
God the Son – bring us through yourself.
God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
Today’s Readings: Acts 18:9-18; Psalm 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Alleluia Luke 24:46, 26; John 16:20-23
