“Persevere and Do Love” by Beth DeCristofaro
But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:9-13)
The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." And no one dared to ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:32-34)
Piety
May I bear everything for the sake of my neighbor, O Lord. May I die with you so as to live with you and remain faithful even as you are faithful. May I persevere in spite of my own failings and fears. May I live close to the Kingdom of God and be a welcoming light for others to do so as well.
Study
Karen Armstrong, in her book The Great Transition, explores the “axial” age when major spiritual breakthroughs or developments are seen in 4 peoples of the ancient world. Speaking about 900 to 200 BCE Armstrong explores the development of personal moral/ethical and internal commitment combined with action by adherents to a higher power. This comes after ages of ancient humans counting their responsibility to “god” through rote ritual – and not expecting much accountability at all from their “gods”. Reading her book is for me giving the words of Jesus enlivening context. By the time Jesus lived, the Chosen People had worked through centuries of this spiritual development. Now this spiritual awareness has its pinnacle walking the earth with them. Jesus’ message comes from the faith of their fathers whose spiritual awakening called them to be chosen. Jesus enlarges and deepens their living truth of faith. Love God. And Love the Other. Jesus shows us how. As Paul explains, it’s hard, to stand face to face with this reality. And no one dared to ask (Jesus) any more questions.
A “god” no longer lives unapproachable on a mountain or is visible as seasons or thunder. Our God is with us and invites us to be with Him, a chosen people together, as His own. Elizabeth Nagel says “In the Eucharist, Christ not only nourishes this communion with his blood, he sends us forth in turn to shed our blood and our life, commingled with his, for others. With our eternally intertwined and inseparable personalities, Christ attracts and engages the people we meet in the course of our day. The more radically we lay down our personal plans and go with his, the more clearly others will recognize Christ in us, encountering his love just as those he met during his time on earth.”[i]
Action
Colleen’s Daily Tripod reflection yesterday (“Fan into Flame God’s Gift”) reminds us that we must practice, practice, practice to keep the flame of God’s love burning. How will we today practice loving one another out of the flame of God’s love? Can we stand in the presence of God through one another and rejoice?
[i]“Within the word: Why the Blood?”, Elizabeth Nagel, Give Us This Day: Daily Prayer for Today’s Catholic,, June 2015, p 50-51.
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