Good morning good people, May the Lord give you peace and blessings in the Holy Spirit. It is 08th January 2026. We reflect on 1 John 4:19–5:4 and Luke 4:14–22.
St. Augustine reminds us, “The source of man’s love for God can only be found in the fact that God loved him first.”
Loving others is not an option; it is an obligation. We often forget that we are born with the wings of love, meant to rise above the selfish, slippery terrain of human relationships. We are called to soar high with the anointing of love. Selfless love purifies and heals the rough, unhealed memories buried deep within us, often beyond our awareness. Many of our fears haunt us repeatedly and make us doubt the power of love, leaving us paralysed by numbness and cold indifference. Love alone enables us to rise above life’s challenges and shadows.
For those who love God, there is no alternative but to love. To love God is to love Jesus, the only Son, and to make a constant effort to love others, however poor they may be in loving us back. As God took the initiative to love us even when our hearts were far from Him, we are called to love others following the example of Jesus on the Cross. Love is not a choice; it is an unconditional commitment.
In the first reading, St John reminds us that we are called to love not for our own happiness, but because love is our vocation from God. We often find it difficult to love what we see, especially when we encounter another’s brokenness and vulnerability. Yet true love deepens intimacy and closeness. St John urges us to begin with loving the person before us before claiming to love the unseen God.
The Gospel reveals Jesus’ manifesto: bringing good news and proclaiming God’s favour. If love is not our priority and does not lead others closer to God, life loses its meaning.
May our faith in Jesus be reflected in the way we love others. May God bless you.