Week 20 - Love

Theme:

Jesus did not want to count equality with God as a thing to be grasped.

He took on the form of a servant.

He became obedient until death, even death on a cross.

Because of His love for us.

What I might wish to ask:

That I may be touched by the mystery of Jesus’ intense love.

That I may be able, in all modesty, to give direction to my life in accordance with Jesus’ example.

That my heart is open to the love Jesus shows.

I place myself before God who is looking at me with tenderness and love.

How am I feeling just now? Peaceful? A bit down? Angry? Worried? Happy to be here in the chapel? However I am feeling just now, God is loving me.

Music: Ubi Caritas Voces8

Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est.

Where charity (friendship) and love are found, God is there.

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Ww3AGED2XPtoaZYsJvhOf?si=d0aac113a33f41b2

YouTube Link:

https://youtu.be/SqBhMwtPjY0?si=OqItcSW6rzAGGUH0

John 12, 1-8

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Laz′arus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Laz′arus was one of those at table with him. 

I imagine the scene. What is happening here? Who is present? Do I want to be with them? Where do I choose to sit or stand in this story? Or do I prefer to help Martha?

*

Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. 

Mary’s love for Jesus is very big, not stingy, almost beyond measure. She expresses her love in a very exuberant way. How is that for me in the way I interact with others around me? With close friends and family? With neighbours? With people in my own district? With colleagues? How do I express my love?

*

But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it. 

Are there moments in my daily life when I am like Judas? That I am calculated in the way I love?

*

Jesus said, “Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

Mary didn’t wait until Jesus’ funeral, but gave him her love now! Unconditionally, not calculating. What affect does that have on me? And what do I give to Jesus at the end of this meditation?

*

Music: Ubi Caritas