Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. So, whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So, we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Breaking the text open:
The first reading for today, the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary celebrated this year on Saturday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, is taken from Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Corinthians. This text speaks to us of Christ’s great love for us that impelled Him to lay down his life for the expiation of our sins and so that we might have life in abundance. Accepting His sacrifice for us and recognizing Him as our savior, we, too, are impelled by love to bring Christ to others and others to Christ. Truly, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ, allowing the LORD Almighty Father to appeal through us to those whom we encounter to be reconciled.
Meditating on the text:
Do I ponder the love of Christ that impelled Him to die for me? How do I respond? Do I use the life given me by the LORD to proclaim this glorious and awesome love to others through my words and actions? Do I so love the LORD that I want others to know and love the LORD, as well?
Praying:
LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to reconcile us to You through his loving sacrifice of self on the cross. As our brother, He revealed your great love for us and called us to follow in his footsteps as his disciples, steps that lead us to life in abundance with You. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve so that we might live as we are called to live, that your love stirring within us nourishes our love for You and impels us to share that love with all whom we encounter in Christ’s name. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and rules with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.
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