God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son:
everyone who believes in him has eternal life. JN 3:16
My Soul's Beloved,
The one who walks in the light of Truth walks with confidence for the Your Word illumines the Way. You are God and all who strive to walk in the Way of holiness do so because they love You and tremble with fear lest they sin and sever their relationship with You whom they love wholeheartedly.
everyone who believes in him has eternal life. JN 3:16
EXODUS 20:1-17 ©
When God gave the 10 Commandments to His people through Moses, for the first time people became aware of sin and its devastating effects on the soul.
The people of Israel were held as slaves in Egypt for 400 years, God heard their cries and delivered them with great signs and wonders from the land of Egypt and the house of slavery. God formed the people He chose for Himself by giving them the Law by which they could know and avoid all that was displeasing to Him.
The 10 Commandments are non-negotiable. They spell out clearly what sin is and that it must be avoided for the consequences of sin is death.
The world convinces itself that God's laws are old-fashioned, irrelevant to our day and age, and are only suggestions that we may or may not comply with. The unvarnished truth is that God's commandments must be obeyed and when we break them we bring death upon ourselves.
The Law brought knowledge of sin, condemnation, and death. But thanks be to God in You, God has given us life.
PSALM 19:8-11 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
Anyone who has experienced the liberating, exultant joy after making a good confession in the Sacrament of Reconciliation knows that sin is real and that its effects on our soul and lives are debilitating.
The 10 Commandments spell out clearly all the ways in which we can avoid causing a rift in our relationship with God. All who strive to live lives of holiness and perfection as commanded by God know that virtue is its own reward. God's word is to be trusted. God's law helps us navigate the pitfalls of life. God's laws give direction to our lives and those who live by God's commands are granted wisdom.
Eternal Word of the Father, You are more to be desired than the purest gold for You are sweeter than honey, than honey in the comb.
My Soul's Beloved,
Every Christian has found the pearl of great price and the treasure in the field. The season of Lent brings home more clearly to all who contemplate Your Passion, Death, and glorious Resurrection, this awesome truth. We are saved by Your Cross.
The scandal of the Cross is a mystery - a stumbling block to all non-believers - Jews, pagans, non-Christians. They cannot fathom why God, in His eternal, and profound wisdom, gave up His only, most beloved Son, to such horrific suffering and to such a profoundly ignominious death. But we know the answer - the simple unvarnished, irrefutable truth is this - God loves us. Why? Who can say - only the forgiven sinner knows how deeply grateful he or she is that this is so. God expresses the depths of His unfathomable love by the extreme lengths that He was prepared to go as a testament to His covenant love for us.
Only one inspired by the Holy Spirit as St. Paul was could put it so succinctly. God has but one answer and remedy to sin and death - a crucified Christ, To the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans madness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
JOHN 2:13-25 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
My soul is meant to be a temple where You live and reign yet so often it has been filled with corruption. It has been a veritable marketplace for sin.
You abhor sin because it destroys us and separates us from You and Your love. Even You, my most beloved Lord, whose love is immeasurable, can do nothing to save the stubborn, hardhearted, rebellious sinner who sins with impunity and refuses the forgiveness and redemption You offer.
This is the reason for Your anger when You entered the Temple and found it turned into a den of thieves. When the Jews asked for a sign to justify what You had done by ridding the Temple of the commerce they were conducting in it You said, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ Of course, they did not understand what You said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this sanctuary: are you going to raise it up in three days?’ It was only after Your glorious resurrection from the dead that Your disciples understood what You meant and they believed.
Sadly, we are often like those who believed in Your Name when they saw the miracles but our faith is so weak it flickers constantly and threatens to go out in times of trials. Many who acclaimed You before Your Passover were the same ones who would shout for Your Crucifixion when You stood condemned before Pilate. You knew this and this is why You did not trust Yourself to them.
Grant O Lord, that I may never fail You. Bless me with a firm, strong, unwavering faith even when life gets difficult as it often will. Thank You.
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