Tuesday, 28 September
2021
“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.”
~ Mark 9:41 ~
Human beings are limited. We do not really like to admit this but, in so many ways, we are. Our love is limited too. So often, we might say we love someone deeply and completely – and indeed we might believe this – but we will discover that even our best attempts to love are limited. We do many things (we think!) freely, but, so often, we do hope for a return, even if that is not a conscious decision.
In his Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius Loyola tries to help us recognise the limits to our love and, despite this, the limitless love of God. He puts this in stark contrast before us. He helps us understand the dynamic: our limited love vs God’s boundless love. There are no boundaries, we discover in the Spiritual Exercises, to Divine Love. Furthermore, Ignatius helps us understand that God’s love cannot be earned or manipulated. It is freely and infinitely
given.
As we learn and grow in the spiritual life – like Jesus’ disciples are doing in this week’s text – we too are invited to unlearn the all too human tendency of “budgeted love” and embrace the generosity of limitless love – the love that God alone offers. We live in a world of imperfections and tilted structures. From young we are subconsciously given the message that love must be earned or that we must behave in a certain way to be loved. Sad as this is, it is the
experience of many people, often only realised later on in life. We can hold the same idea about God – that we have to earn God’s love. This is untrue. God’s love is not earned. There is no “budget”. God’s love is free and infinite.
Jesus, in this Scripture scene and throughout the Gospels, tries to teach his closest companions that there are no “in-groups” or “out-groups” when it comes to God. All are invited into the free and infinite love of God – no matter who they are. All are invited to “belong to Christ” – to live in God’s love.
Do you really believe that God loves you (and each human person) limitlessly and infinitely?
|
|
Lord God
We live in a world where, so often,
we think that we have to earn love
by behaving in certain ways.
Sometimes this is affirmed when,
in our human relationships,
we are told and believe that we need
to behave in certain ways to be loved.
You love us, limitlessly and infinitely.
Give me the grace this day to experience
your limitless, unconditional love.
Amen.
|
Reflection prepared by Russell Pollitt SJ
|
God's Universe
Our Responsibility
40 days of ecological reflections
COST: R120 (excl postage and packaging)
TO ORDER:
Email: admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za
online
ABOUT THE BOOK
This book, published by the Jesuit Institute South Africa was written by theologian, Fr Anthony Egan SJ.
Fr Egan leads the reader through meditations and reflections considering the ecological (and humanitarian) crisis the earth faces.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’, Fr Egan tackles the question of how faith and science both contribute to our understanding of the universe. He does not shy away from exploring the legitimate questions science continues to ask about humanity and the universe. The text is a journey from the beginning to the present. It looks specifically at the place of human beings and our
responsibility in taking care of our common home. This includes our responsibility to one another individually and corporately.
The book challenges us to engage with both our Christian faith and science.
In the book you will find poems, meditations on Scripture and a ‘Pause for Refection’ – questions to ponder after each section. This book is ideal for both individuals or groups who seek to pray in a focussed way. No facet of human life is left out, a number of themes are addressed including creation, sin, relationships, suffering, betrayal, love and witness.
REVIEWS
"There have always been tensions between faith and science: think about Galileo and the earth moving around the sun or Darwin explaining evolution. Our understanding of the universe is constantly growing because science is opening new horizons. Are science and theology at odds with each other? What does modern science have to contribute to our faith? What does our faith have to contribute to our understanding of the universe? Is the Big Bang theory or climate change a spiritual issue? In this
book, Fr Anthony Egan SJ explores these questions in a series of 40 short reflections – ideal for Lent (or any other time of the year). This is a mind-opening, down-to-earth, exploration of the intersection between faith and science." Dr Martin van Nierop, Managing Director Gondwana Environmental Solutions.
"Science continues to ask legitimate questions about the universe. Sometimes these questions rattle the very foundations of our Christian faith. In this book, Fr Anthony Egan SJ is not afraid to engage with those difficult questions. In this text, we are challenged to think and engage, in faith, with the ecological crisis science shows the universe faces. It is primarily a book which should lead us to deep reflection, prayer and conversion. Our conversion becomes apparent when we take act
responsibly and adjust our lifestyles so that we become true stewards of all creation." Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, Director Jesuit Institute South Africa
|
|
|
