From today’s Scripture: “[W]hoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”—1 Jn 4:19

I know a priest who preaches frequently on this theme. To indicate the connection between love of God and neighbor, he stands in front of the congregation and makes a big vertical motion with his arm, followed by a horizontal sweep. “The quality of our relationship with God is reflected in the quality of our human relationships, and vice versa,” he exhorts his flock. “When we fail to love and care about others as we should, our relationship with God suffers.”

His words challenge me. Thank God we have a “re-set” when our sins of both commission and omission stare us in the face: the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Let us pray: God, help me to love as you would have me. Thank you for your mercy when I fail.

Today’s author is Polly Duncan Collum, former parish lay missioner and now director of Glenmary’s Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation.

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