It All Boils Down to Love

My 17-month old grandson Colton is a hoot. He has the cutest sayings . . . "abobbin" means "I want more." When he spots my computer, he rushes to it saying "bra! bra!" Which means he wants to watch the Disney trailer for the movie Planes called "Meet El Chupacabra." And one of my favorites . . . when I am pushing him on his swing, I'll say, "ready, set . . ." and Colt will say "goo!" Phonically, he doesn't say it like "go" is pronounced. He kind of says it like goo (as in muck, or gunk!). His little personality is really becoming apparent . . . he loves being silly and loves when I try to scare him playing hide and seek. He squeals with laughter and then runs to hide so I can surprise him again (we do this for a least 10 minutes several times a day when I watch him!). The love I feel for this baby boy when he snuggles against me to rock him to sleep is immense. He brings me so much joy and hope. Joy knowing he will know Jesus and feel loved. Hope that in a world where many distance themselves from Christ, Colt will be one of the good guys. It all boils down to love, lay apostles. Love like you've never loved before. Start now, beginning with Our Savior.

In todays Gospel (Luke 4:14-22), Jesus begins His public ministry in His own hometown . . . where His Words bring those listening and ready to hear the truth . . . hope:

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.

He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring glad tidings to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.

Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.”  And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. 


In Volume Three, our Blessed Mother clearly defines a true follower of Christ (and what each of us must strive for every day):

"We have talked in the past about the modern version of love, which is not love at all, but exploitation. True love, heavenly love, is genuine. You know it is genuine because it creates security. Consider those with whom you are comfortable. Do you see that those souls carry true love within them? It is safe to be with them because they carry a seed of God in them and that is what generates love. It is that seed you respond to when you feel comfortable and safe with a person. Well, dear ones, I have to tell you that fewer and fewer carry that seed of love and that is why so many of your fellow brothers and sisters have fallen prey to diseases of the mind. Man was not meant to live without love in his life. He should walk through each day and experience a little love in this person, that person, and ideally, through every soul who has contact with him. The light has been extinguished in many souls and they have nothing to give in the way of love. Gradually, love in this person goes out too. Now a person can survive quite nicely if he is nurtured by divine love. That is not a problem. But few souls are accepting divine love. Think about most of the souls you know. How many can you say have a lively connection to Jesus Christ? You will know them because they stand out. Why do they stand out? Because they are joyful. They smile. They love others with simplicity and easiness. They worry for each other and tolerate and understand the faults of others. They seek to help others whenever they can. They are not ruled by addictions and jealousies. They do not acquire goods for the sake of acquiring goods. They speak the truth. They accept responsibility for their actions. And they like and respect children. How many souls of this description did you identify, dear one? I leave you with that thought and ask you to understand that this description should fit everyone." 

Lay apostles, the passage above from Volume Three profoundly affected Jay and me this morning. This is what we both strive for every day. This is what Jesus Christ the Returning King has blessed us with . . . true love. A love free of fear or insecurities. We accept each other completely, for better or for worse. Read and reread the words of Our Lady. Print them out or write them down. Then check in at the end of the day, asking yourself if the description fits you. As she said, it should fit everyone.

Thank you, Lord, for teaching me how to love with all my heart and all my soul. And for all the love You have brought into my life! 

God bless,
Bonnie