Week 31 - Arise!
Theme: Arise!
I feel the strong thrust of divine life within me.
Divine life in the form of love which sets me in motion.
What I may wish to ask:
That I can start to live with the awareness
that everything revolves around the love which God gives me.
I allow myself a few moments in silence in order to take in and accept the love which God wants to give me: His love for me as I am with all my shortcomings and all my talents.
Music: Take O take me as I am.
Take, O take me as I am
Summon out what I shall be
Set your seal upon my heart
And live in me.
Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/track/5TVSygW9qTzh3IUBrjQzK1?si=73b8c6cf8800475c
OR:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2pYf6g23zKZpCkBNaIYPgq?si=90cda185b7c54e43
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/jdwX3Gg-D-c?si=TUehMMYAs6qMaQhz
John 21, 15-19
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” ….And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus asked Peter: “Do you love Me?” He used the Greek word ‘agape’: love which is prepared to give everything, divine love. Peter answered with the Greek word for love between friends. Peter loves Jesus in a very human way. He is not able to to give his life for Him. Not yet. How is that for me?
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The third time jesus doesn’t use the word for all-giving, divine love but uses the same word that Peter used. Jesus asks Peter “Do you love M?” with the word for love between friends. He meets Peter and accepts him as he is. A very human level of self-giving is enough for Jesus.
Does this help me to rise up and live a life of love: paying attention to all the little signs of love which I receive and can give in my daily life?
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Jesus accepts Peter as he is but He continues to call him: be a shepherd for my people. And He says: “Follow Me”. I imagine that Jesus turns and looks at me. He accepts me as I am. And He calls me. Arise! What am I called to do?
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Peter’s love for Jesus grows in an amzing and wonderful way and in the end he does love Jesus, and others, with the divine love with which Jesus loved. A miracle in our eyes! The work of the Holy Spirit! What effect does this have on me?
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Muziek: Take O take me as I am.
“Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love!” Pope Leo XIV