In the first reading, Peter’s words to Cornelius are so important for us in a world consumed by polarized responses to pretty much everything: “Stand up; I am only a man.”
We are tempted to worship many things, even when it is hard for us to see this. If we are deeply honest with ourselves, what makes us feel most secure? A full savings account? A job where someone asks us to stay late? A TV show or social media account to binge on? Pleasing people? Believing you are right? A package arriving in the mail?
Jesus is asking us to love him first so that everything else in the world will lead us back to him.
Spend some time naming the things you put between you and Jesus. With the help of grace and guidance from our communities, Jesus puts us back into the right relationship with everything and everyone else.
Loving God, you have loved us into being. Our joy is complete only when we live our lives in your love. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, help us remain in your love by keeping your commandments. For gratitude to be called not servants but friends, we pray to the Lord.
Taken from CCCB-Reflection
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary
