Life is Love

August 22: Friday of Week 20 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 107:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Matthew 22:34-40

Thoughts to help us surrender to Jesus expressing himself through us in ministry.

Life is Love

“Prophesy over these bones.” Ezekiel 37:4

The Gospel completes the first reading. God shows Isaiah the dry bones of Israel coming to life. Jesus tells us how it will happen: “You shall love…”

God said “You shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and have you rise from them, O my people! I will put my spirit in you that you may live.” Jesus says we will know he is the Messiah and Savior when we let him open our hearts and raise us out of our absorption with ourselves. When he puts his Spirit of love in us, we will live.

Those in whom faith is dead will return to Mass. The youth will be on fire. Love will breathe spirit into dried-up devotion. God’s People will stand up, come together, and live.

If we make love our life.

When you hear “religion,” do you think of love? Does “God” mean “Love” to you? Is Mass an experience of passionate love? When you participate, are you thinking of love?

Do you get out of bed to love? Is that your first thought every morning? Your preoccupation in everything you do? Your parting thought before you dismiss the day?

Love puts life into death.

PRAY: Every time you deal with another person, say: “Lord, love this one with me, love this one in me, love this one through me.”

PRACTICE: All day, whatever your thoughts or feelings are, replace them with love.