I want to end our week with the epistle reading appointed for Sunday, Romans 5:1-5;
specifically the last line:
If we wonder about the mechanism by which the Love we worship and rely on is transmitted to us, Paul asserts that it is a by-product of the Holy Spirit, God’s most essential gift to us. The idea that this love is inside us, ours already, not external, to be somehow found or obtained – or, worse, earned – is a radical reminder to us of what grace is. Grace is unmerited favor, gift without contract or condition.
Many gifts are packed into the gift of Holy Spirit – peace, power, presence; courage, compassion, contrition; healing and hope, to alliteratively name but a few. All of these are contained in the supreme gift of God’s love, God’s “yes” in the face of the world’s “no’s.” God's love is pure gift to us.
And God’s love is gift through us. We are the means through which God intends his love to reach those who do not yet know him, whose hearts perhaps have not been open to receiving her love or her Spirit. It is up to us to make the introductions, to live and speak and interact with such light and love that people around us can see God's love in us, and respond to it for themselves.
Do you feel the love of God in your heart today? I do believe it is there, but I also know many things in our lives and persons can block its flow: fear, insecurity, envy, resentment, sin… Our task is to release this love that has been poured into us so that its flow into, around and through us is unimpeded. If you are aware of an obstacle to that flow, lift it in prayer and invite the Spirit to help you move or transform it.
Take some time today to be present to this Love that fills your heart through the Holy Spirit, whether or not you feel it every moment. How does knowing that reservoir of love is there change your day, your relationships, your work, your life? Where and to whom do you want it to flow next?
The prayer is simple: Come, Holy Spirit.
"…God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
If we wonder about the mechanism by which the Love we worship and rely on is transmitted to us, Paul asserts that it is a by-product of the Holy Spirit, God’s most essential gift to us. The idea that this love is inside us, ours already, not external, to be somehow found or obtained – or, worse, earned – is a radical reminder to us of what grace is. Grace is unmerited favor, gift without contract or condition.
Many gifts are packed into the gift of Holy Spirit – peace, power, presence; courage, compassion, contrition; healing and hope, to alliteratively name but a few. All of these are contained in the supreme gift of God’s love, God’s “yes” in the face of the world’s “no’s.” God's love is pure gift to us.
And God’s love is gift through us. We are the means through which God intends his love to reach those who do not yet know him, whose hearts perhaps have not been open to receiving her love or her Spirit. It is up to us to make the introductions, to live and speak and interact with such light and love that people around us can see God's love in us, and respond to it for themselves.
Do you feel the love of God in your heart today? I do believe it is there, but I also know many things in our lives and persons can block its flow: fear, insecurity, envy, resentment, sin… Our task is to release this love that has been poured into us so that its flow into, around and through us is unimpeded. If you are aware of an obstacle to that flow, lift it in prayer and invite the Spirit to help you move or transform it.
Take some time today to be present to this Love that fills your heart through the Holy Spirit, whether or not you feel it every moment. How does knowing that reservoir of love is there change your day, your relationships, your work, your life? Where and to whom do you want it to flow next?
The prayer is simple: Come, Holy Spirit.
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