Prayer-Soldier Newbie
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:13 am Post subject: Sharing in Love |
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Sharing in Love
Scripture:
He arose, and went to Sarephta. And when he was come to the gate of the city, he saw the widow woman gathering sticks, and he called her, and said to her: Give me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And when she was going to fetch it, he called after her, saying: Bring me also, I beseech you, a morsel of bread in your hand. And she answered: As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, but only a handful of meal in a pot, and a little oil in a cruise: behold I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it, for me and my son, that we may eat it and die. And Elias said to her: Fear not; but go, and do as you have said but first make for me of the same meal a little hearth cake, and bring it to me, and after make for yourself and your son. For thus said the Lord, the God of Israel: The pot of meal shall not waste, nor the cruise of oil be diminished, until the day wherein the Lord will give rain upon the face of the earth. She went, and did according to the word of Elias: and he ate, and she, and her house: and from that day the pot of meal wasted not, and the cruise of oil was not diminished according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke in the hand of Elias. (1 Kings 17:10-16)
For Jesus is not entered into the Holies made with hands, the patterns of the true: but into Heaven itself, that he may appear now in the presence of God for us. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the Holies every year with the blood of others: For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world. But now once, at the end of ages, he has appeared for the destruction of sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment: So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many. The second time he shall appear without sin to them that expect him unto salvation. ( Hebrews 9:24-28 )
And he said to them in his doctrine: Beware of the scribes, who love to walk in long robes and to be saluted in the marketplace, and to sit in the first chairs in the synagogues and to have the highest places at suppers: Who devour the houses of widows under the pretense of long prayer. These shall receive greater judgment. And Jesus sitting over against the treasury, beheld how the people cast money into the treasury. And many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow: and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And calling his disciples together, he said to them: Amen I say to you, this poor widow has cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living. (Mark 12:38-44)
Reflection:
He gave us dominion of the world so that we would be responsible stewards of His creation, which includes caring for one another. The life of one only looking out for themselves is hard, but when many join to care for one another, much is possible. What we offer in selflessness returns to us in many ways, but what we pursue in selfishness will leave us empty and always wanting.
He gave us ambition so that we would be motivated to accomplish, but it is what we seek as to whether it becomes a virtue or a sin. Ambition is a virtue when we use its drive towards the works of charity and love, but it leads us astray when we allow it to drive us towards selfish endeavors. Blessed are those who share their blessings for what they give they shall receive even greater from the blessings of the Lord.
There is the One who gave all, but in giving of His life, He conquered the death brought to the world by the evil one, so that through His sacrifice and resurrection, all might live. Through Him and the love He gives, we all have love if we choose to receive it. The sacrifice He offered yielded love for all the generations so that all the generations might love and live in love of one another. And as they share in love, love becomes their reward. Love cannot be gained through works of evil, nor can our souls be purified without love. The grace and forgiveness of God cannot be purchased through any means, but we bring ourselves close to Him when what we do is offered in love.
When all this is known, how is it, then, that people choose pursuits which only lead to emptiness and agony? How is it, then, that people turn their back upon what was purchased for them upon the cross; a forgiveness which cannot be earned in any other way? How is it then, after all which has been given, that the response of love is not found in the hearts of many? How is it then, that so many remain blind to the evil which surrounds them and tempts their soul to the darkness and the eternal agonies of the abyss?
So many do not see the traps set for us to ensnare our souls. So many believe that what they do is righteous, that they are good in what they pursue, but the purposes for which they put their pursuits still leads them astray. So many believe that what they do has no consequence for they fail to see the harm which spreads from person to person when selfishness drives what they do.
True love is not given with expectations or trumpeting for purposes of receiving accolades. True love is offered through tenderness, warmth, and selfless giving. True love was given to all the generations from the cross and true love is there for eternity for those who believe with all their hearts, all their minds and all their soul in the One who offers love to us through His sacrifice for our iniquities.
What we do in that belief does not purchase our salvation, for that has already been freely given to all who believe; but what we do demonstrates our belief and the strength in what we believe. We cannot trumpet our works for selfish recognition, rather, we should seek to spend ourselves upon our works for the good they will do in the name and will of the One who taught us the true meaning of love. Blessed are those who believe in Him, for in the truth of their belief they will find freedom of the soul and the blessings of sharing blessings with others.
May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier
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