Being and Love

The letter of John in the Roman Catholic Lectionary for today proclaims that “God Is Love”. This may seem simple and obvious but at the same time it is profound and is also speaking of our essence and mission. When we show love, we show God. This is often a comfortable position for beginning a relationship with God. We are attracted to the practice of love. We may not appreciate or we may be reluctant about recognition of the source and summit of that love. Ironically, our deepest understanding of our being is that of Creature of God’s love. Our mission goes inward to explore the Mystery of our origin and relationship with the Divine and outward to be that reflection of Divine love that shows compassion, mercy and forgiveness to those who are “like sheep without a shepherd”. As Mark’s Gospel shows we will encounter multitudes who need to be shown the Love through our transformation to reflect the action of the Provider of guidance and sustenance.