Day 6
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Theme: Changed by God’s Steadfast
Love
Text: This is the victory, our faith (cf. 1 Jn 5:4) |
Readings
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Hab 3:17-19
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God, the Lord is my strength
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Ps 136:1-4.23-26
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His steadfast love endures forever
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1 Jn 5:1-6
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This is the victory that conquers
the world, our faith
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Jn 15:9-17
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No one has greater love than to
lay down one’s life for one’s friends
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Commentary
In the Old Testament text, it is
faith in God that keeps hope alive in spite of all failure. Habakkuk’s
lamentation turns to joy in God’s fidelity that supplies strength in the face
of despair.
Psalm 136 confirms that the memory
of the marvellous deeds of God in Israel’s history is a proof of God’s
steadfast love. Because of God’s intervention, the people of Israel experienced
extraordinary and surprising victories. Recalling God’s great works of
salvation is a source of joy, gratitude and hope, which believers have for
centuries expressed in prayer, hymns of praise, and music.
The epistle reminds us that that
which has been born of God is what overcomes the world. This does not
necessarily mean victories which can be measured by human standards. Victory in
Christ involves a change of heart, perceiving earthly reality from the
perspective of eternity, and believing in the final victory over death. This
victorious force is faith, the bestower and source of which is God. And its
most perfect manifestation is love.
In the words of the gospel, Christ
assures His disciples of God’s love, the final confirmation of which is the
Saviour’s death on the cross. At the same time, He invites and challenges them
to show love to one another. Jesus’ relationship to his disciples is based on
love. He does not treat them merely as disciples, but calls them His friends.
Their service of Christ consists in conforming their lives to the one
commandment of love, resulting from internal conviction and faith. In a spirit
of love, even when the progress on the way to full visible unity seems slow, we
do not loose hope. God’s steadfast love will enable us to overcome the greatest
opponent and the deepest divisions. That is why the victory that conquers
the world is our faith and the transforming power of God’s love.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living
God, by Your Resurrection You have triumphed over death, and have become the
Lord of life. Out of love for us You have chosen us to be Your friends. May the
Holy Spirit unite us to You and to one other in the bonds of friendship, that
we may faithfully serve You in this world as witnesses to Your steadfast love;
for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever
and ever. Amen.
Questions for reflection
- How should we express Christian love in contexts of different religions and philosophies?
- What must we do to become more credible witnesses of God's steadfast love in a divided world?
- How can Christ’s followers more visibly support one another throughout the world?
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