In today’s first reading from St. Luke, we are called to love one another since He first loved us. Love was the motivation of our Lord’s ministry and not fulfilling the cry of His ego. The word in John 3: 16 tells us that God ‘so loved’ the world that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life. There is a beautiful old song that says, “Love it was that made us and it was love that saved us, love was God’s plan when he made us, God’s divine nature is love.”

In the Gospel proclamation, when our Lord Jesus entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and read from Prophet Isaiah, He shared His mission. His mission was, “To bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to give new sight to the blind, to free the oppressed and to announce the Lord year’s of mercy.” It is said that the people were amazed by his teaching and preaching but could not find a link between His background of being Joseph the carpenter’s son and the wisdom he was ex¬pounding. Though they loved His teaching they could not love the teacher because in their eyes He was from a lowly background.

When we are baptised, we become disciples and our mission becomes the same as our Lord’s. We begin with clean and clear motives but drift towards receiving love and appreciation from people Most often we cannot love as our Lord loved. Our love can shift from loving people to loving the ministry, the people, the power, and the status that we enjoy.
Today, we are called to examine our mission and our motives. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 72 – Lord every nation on earth will adore you. When we adore the Lord, He will help us clean up the mess and confusion in our hearts and minds. He will take us to the place where love will take prominence over power and position. We will be convinced that He first loved us while we were in sin and our purpose will be purified as we live and love in the Lord.

Prayer: Abba Father, let you love invade my heart and motivations. Let your love take over as your mission unfolds in my live. Let your love reign. Amen