1 John 4: 11-18
Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
We May Have an Epiphany Everyday with His Perfect Love
We are charged to love perfectly — a bold calling to which I have resolved to walk towards everyday along my faith journey. The Lord’s mandate to love one another goes a few steps further as we are to love as he loves us and to love our enemies. The latter is a role in which I struggle.
A true epiphany we may experience here on earth, our call to love so that we cast out all fear, envy, malice and all negative attributes is seemingly impossible. It is easy to love the ones we love, but it is a higher commitment to love those who scorn and alienate us. When matters seem insurmountable, I call on Our Mother to cast out the Prince of Darkness in all our hearts and to guide us with her love and grace — a mission in which I pray for more resolve and conviction every day.
—Ellen M. Walker, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Xavier University in Louisiana — the only Catholic HBCU in the US — and a lector at Saint Anthony of Padua in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Prayer
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen
—Memorare to Our Lady
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.