Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 14, 2024

Date:  Third Sunday of Easter

Scripture Text:  1 John 2:1-5a

My children, I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one. He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. The way we may be sure that we know him is to keep his commandments. Those who say, "I know him," but do not keep his commandments are liars, and the truth is not in them. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading for today comes to us from the 1st Letter of John and speaks to us our LORD’s love for us and our appropriate response. It is from love and through love that we are saved from our sins; salvation came to us from the Father and through the Son. And Jesus asked us to “Keep my commandments” and “love one another as I have loved you.” If we wish to be Christ’s, we must follow Christ’s commands and follow in His footsteps.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How hard am I trying to live my call as Christian, to follow Christ’s commands and to love others as He loves me?

Praying:

LORD,   Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to us for our salvation. He offered himself, according to your will, as expiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. Send your Spirit to stir within us the zeal and love we need to live our faith, to allow hope to fill our minds, to increase and deepen our love. Grant that we may live as our Savior, Jesus Christ, commanded us to live, loving You with all our being, loving one another as He has loved us. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.