January 8, Christmas Weekday

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.--Psalm 72:(see 11)

Mass readings: 1 John 4:19--5:4 / Luke 4:14-22

Unconditional Love

In today's first reading John tells us that ''We love because He first loved us.'' We don't earn God's love by good deeds or devout feelings. We can't. And we don't have to. God loves us because ''God is love.'' (1 John 4: 8) Accepting that love changes us. This is especially true when we feel like we don't deserve it.

When I shared a shameful incident from my past with a trusted friend, she accepted me ''warts and all.'' Because she knew the truth and loved me anyway, I felt that God could, too. Experiencing love as a precious, unmerited gift frees us to pass it on. If the Bridegroom loves us for better or for worse, it becomes easier for us to love others who have better and worse sides, too.

Prayer: Loving Bridegroom, live Your love in us and through us.