January 6, Thursday 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 

Loving God . . . and Neighbor 

Continuing the theme of caring for other people, today’s first reading includes the blunt statement: “Whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:19). 

Why is that so? After all, I often find it easier to love God in my prayers and meditations than it is to love a real person with all his or her quirks and annoying traits. But solitary love of God isn’t complete. Loving other people is absolutely central to our faith, the Scripture says. We don’t love God alone. “This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother” (1 Jn 4:20). Today’s reading tells us that loving God and loving other people are intimately linked. They can’t be separated. 

Prayer: Jesus, who is the person in my life who most needs love now?