Memorial of Saint John Neumann, Bishop

Beloved, let us love one another,
because love is of God;
everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.
Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
In this way the love of God was revealed to us:
God sent his only-begotten Son into the world
so that we might have life through him.
In this is love:
not that we have loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.

1 John 4:7-10


The peace of the Lord be with you.

It’s common to wonder what the purpose of our life is. While it is true that each of us is assigned or given a specific task, there is also a more general purpose to our life.

Our first reading this morning reminds us that our purpose is to love and to serve God. They are one in the same. While there is no harm in working towards excellence, I was reminded by another reflection this morning that we must be careful about our ambitions. Our life is really not about us, but about using the talents that we have been given for the purpose of service to God and others. May we be given the grace to do both well.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Readings for Tuesday, January 5, 2021