Do you love money? That is what you really believe in. Do you love pleasure? That is what you really believe in - Daily Reflections February 19,2015

OF LOVE AND BELIEF

 

Every Sunday, we go to Mass and recite the Credo, either the Apostle’s or the Nicene Creed version. Credo is Latin for “I Believe.” It is our weekly renewal of our belief-covenant with God. But be that as it may, let us not forget that the goal of religion is not only to make us believe in God. Ultimately, the goal of religion is to make us love God.

       Even the devil believes in God. That is made clear countless of times in the Scriptures. When Jesus expelled the evil spirit in the Gospel of Mark for instance, he said, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24).

       While belief and love of God are two different things, it bears realizing that belief should presuppose love. The etymology of the word demonstrates this. I remember reading before that lief is an old English word used by poets to mean love. There is really no belief without love. Belief and love presuppose one another.

       This is God’s challenge in the First Reading today. God calls for faith and obedience to His commands and decrees. For what  purpose? “That you may love the Lord your God.” Twice that phrase is repeated, at the beginning and at the end (see Deuteronomy 30:15, 20).

       This is a good tool for self-examination. Do you want to know what or who you really believe in? Identify what you love (more than anything else) and that is really what you believe in. Fr. Joel Jason

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Do you love money? That is what you really believe in. Do you love pleasure? That is what you really believe in.

 

Grant, O Lord, that I may love You above all else. Amen.