Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 10, 2023

Date in the Ordine: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Romans 13:8-10

Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not covet, " and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The second reading today is taken from Paul’s Letter to the Romans and reminds us in a powerful way that love is the answer, the path, “the way.” Loving one another and our LORD is our calling. We love one another, sisters and brothers, because we are all daughters and sons of our LORD who loves each of us. And savoring and treasuring the love of the LORD for each of us, we are compelled to love one another.

How does this pertain to us today?

We must not give way to the hostilities that manifest themselves so easily in our world today through social media, through news media, through cultural clashes. We are called to be sisters and brothers in one LORD living in and sharing life in one world created by our loving LORD. We must remind ourselves often that how well we loved will be the standard by which we are measured at the end of our journeys by Love Itself, our LORD.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Would one observing me for 24 hours judge me loving of others? Would one deem love to be my purpose?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, we look to You this day, the source of love, love itself, in awe and wonder as well as in thanksgiving. We acknowledge the gift of your love for us and your call to us to love one another as You have loved us. Fill us will your grace so that we might grow into the daughters and sons You created us to be as well as the disciples You call us to be, sanctuaries of your very being here on earth. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.