Hi,
This is Mark Glideman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
And I welcome you to today's Lectio Divina as we reflect on some words by Thomas Aquempas in his well-known The Imitation of Christ.
When it comes to love,
There are usually two types of people.
There are those who need to learn to love better,
And then there are those who need to receive love,
Those that are starving for love,
Or they find themselves outside of love.
It's interesting that no matter which of these two you are,
As you reflect on these words by Thomas Aquempas,
You'll find in them something that speaks to you.
If you're starving and hungry for love,
May the words of Aquempas in this Lectio Divina reflection open you up to seeing,
Finding,
And receiving love where perhaps you can't right now.
And if you're struggling to give love,
May this contemplation help you to consider ways that you may be able to give love where it needs to be given.
And so God,
We open ourselves to you in this time of reflection and contemplation today.
May these words by Aquempas speak to our hearts and stir us to continue to become who it is you have called us to become.
Amen.
Let's begin.
Love is a mighty power,
A great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden and makes the rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable.
The love of Jesus is noble and inspires us to great deeds.
Love moves us always to desire perfection.
Love aspires to high things and is held back by nothing base.
Love longs to be free,
A stranger to every worldly desire,
Lest its inner vision become dimmed and lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill fortune cast it down.
Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth.
For love is born of God and can rest only in God above all created things.
Love flies,
Runs,
Leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love gives all for all,
Resting in one who is highest above all things from whom every good flows and proceeds.
Love does not regard the gifts but turns to the giver of all good gifts.
Love knows no limits but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden,
Takes no account of toil,
Attempts things beyond its strength.
Love sees nothing as impossible for it feels able to achieve all things.
Love therefore does great things.
Love is a mighty power,
A great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden and makes the rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable.
The love of Jesus is noble and inspires us to great deeds.
It moves us always to desire perfection.
Love aspires to high things and is held back by nothing base.
Love longs to be free,
A stranger to every worldly desire,
Lest its inner vision become dimmed,
Lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill-fortune cast it down.
Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth.
For love is born of God and can rest only in God above all created things.
Love flies,
Runs,
Leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love gives all for all,
Resting in one who is highest above all things,
From whom every good flows and proceeds.
Love does not regard the gifts but turns to the giver of all good gifts.
Love knows no limits but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden,
Takes no account of toil,
Attempts things beyond its strength.
Love sees nothing as impossible for it feels able to achieve all things.
Love therefore does great things.
Love is a mighty power,
A great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden and makes the rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing and renders all bitterness sweet and acceptable.
The love of Jesus is noble and inspires us to great deeds.
It moves us always to desire perfection.
Love aspires to high things and is held back by nothing base.
Love longs to be free,
A stranger to every worldly desire,
Lest its inner vision become dimmed,
Lest worldly self-interest hinder it or ill-fortune cast it down.
Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth.
For love is born of God and can rest only in God above all created things.
Love flies,
Runs,
Leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love gives all for all,
Resting in one who is highest above all things from whom every good flows and proceeds.
Love does not regard the gifts but turns to the giver of all good gifts.
Love knows no limits but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden,
Takes no account of toil,
Attempts things beyond its strength.
Love sees nothing as impossible for it feels able to achieve all things.
Love therefore does great things.
Gracious God,
We are reminded today of the words of the Apostle John in his first letter where he says,
God is love.
May we always know that where you are,
There we will find love and that wherever love is,
There you are.
Continue to help us to give and to receive that love knowing that as we do,
Christ becomes incarnate in,
Through and among us.
May we go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ,
Amen.
