Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 24,2026

Date:  Memorial of St. Francis de Sales

Scripture Text:   John 15:9-17

Jesus said to his disciples: "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love.

"I have told you this so that my joy be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today’s memorial of St.  Francis de Sales is from Jesus’ final discourse with His disciples before His arrest. It immediately follows Jesus’ teaching on the Vine and the Branches, that He is the Vine, we are the branches, and that we must remain in Him because without Him we can do nothing. Here, Jesus reveals to us the source of His power and authority, namely love for the Father and for us. And He calls us to love as He has loved us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Can I honestly claim to love others as Jesus has loved me?

Praying:

LORD,  Jesus Christ, Son of God, my Lord and Savior, I turn to You and beg for your help in living as You command, in loving my sisters and brothers as You have loved me. Please send the Spirit to strengthen my resolve and to purify my being so that I might love as You love, selflessly. Help me, Lord, help me to be the disciple You call me to be and to live the life You call me to live. Amen.