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Never has it been, merciful Father have we realized in our lives except lately that waking up every day, that being alive is indeed a great gift from you; with all the deaths now happening, with those closest to us getting infected with COVID-19, what an honor and joy to keep in our minds and hearts that we are your chosen ones (Col.3:12).
If we can appreciate this gift you bestowed on us through Jesus Christ, then we learn that your call for us to lead moral lives is not just a list of "do's" and "dont's" but an outflow from inner motivation of our being renewed in Christ.
Brothers and sisters: put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were called in one Body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:12, 14-15
Let us praise you, O God, with our very lives with our "being" and not with our "doing" that is an outpouring, a fruit of our status as your chosen ones. It is always easier to just do things, obey laws and precepts, observe your teachings for as long as they do not affect our being; we can just do what is good even without any meaning at all like towing the line.
Everything changes, dear God when it is our person that is hurt, that is violated and transgressed, when every good deed is reduced to a mere act and social contract because there is no love that made peace elusive: we have forgotten who we are, that we are your children, your chosen people in Christ won over by his blood.
Jesus said to his disciples, “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them… Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-28, 32, 35, 36
Remind us, dear Father that we are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ who have all come from you as your beloved children, forgiven and blessed. Amen.
