Inherent in the beauty of love is the power to choose. God, our loving Father, made us with free will. We are loved by God, but He will not force us to love Him in return. He commands us to love each other, but He will not compel us to do it.
Only in freedom and consent is love expressed authentically. Our desire and choice to be close with each other is a small reflection of God’s steadfast choice to be with each of us. Let us choose to freely respond to our God (Mt. 21:28-32) as a real sign of our love.
Lord Jesus, You revealed Your love for us by freely choosing to die so that we may live. May we reveal our love for You by freely doing what You ask, shaping our lives according to Your word, and offering our lives as acceptable sacrifices in Your sight. Amen.
Blessings,
Fr. Howie
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