June 2017
Reflections of God's Goodness
Traditionally, the month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This symbol of God’s love is a reminder to us of the intensity and depth of God’s love for us.
As a child, I learned that God made me to know, love and serve Him in this world and to be happy with Him in heaven forever. This is why God made me! This is my purpose. Amazingly, this simple statement holds profound truth and challenge.
Jesus Himself said that the greatest commandment of all is to love God with everything you’ve got! Then Jesus said, “Love your neighbor too, as much as you love yourself." Wow! How do we do this?
We all desire to be known and loved. We want the people we love to love us in return. Scripture tell us what that life of love looks like:
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous,
[love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over
wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I invite you to reflect on this reading in the coming weeks. A retreat leader once suggested that we replace the word “Love” with the word “God”, so it becomes God is patient, God is kind, etc. Or for another view, replace the word “Love” with your name!
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, so on fire with love for each of us, help us to truly receive His love in our hearts and to give it away again to the people we meet each day.
Blessings,
Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn
Director of Development
Let love be sincere; hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good, love one another
with mutual affection; anticipate one another
in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs
of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.
