Through his miracles and his teaching, Jesus embodied love. In the words from
the reading from 1 John: 'God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in
God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us . . . There is
no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with pun-
ishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love.¯
Like the disciples who were filled with fear as the storm tossed their boat around
and Jesus came walking toward them and they thought they were seeing a ghost,
my love is not yet perfect. I continue to seek meaning in what I can see and
touch rather than allowing my heart to feel the goodness that is all around me. I
make judgments based on appearances. I am quick to criti-
cize. I need to remember that the Spirit lives within me and
that I have a responsibility to make known the presence of
God to a world seeking justice.
Prayer
All loving and ever powerful God, enact an epiphany within
me. Enable me to continue to perfect my ability to love so
that I am reflecting in my person the light of your perfect
love. Calm the fears that blind me from seeing the goodness
in all that surrounds me. Strengthen me to share the Spirit
living within me. I make this prayer in the name of Jesus who
lives with you and the Spirit as one God. Amen.
______
Bill Metzdorf
Parishioner
