We love God because he first loved us

The first reading continues its journey through chapter 4 of 1 John.  We are reminded that God loved us first, but that love is not to stay with us alone. We are given a commandment that we must love our brother and sister, something easier to do in the abstract than in day-to-day life.  Let us reflect on where we hold our love from others and why.  To be an instrument in Christ’s hands for the renewal of the world, we must strive to love others as Christ does.  In hope and faith, we remember that remaining in this love and freely giving this love to others will be “the victory that conquers the world.”