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This is Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians following his great announcement, the heart of the whole Gospel: God has reconciled the world to himself through Christ (see 2 Cor 5:19).
God has given us the greatest proof of his love in the death of his Son on the cross. Through the cross of Christ, he has reconciled us to himself.
This fundamental truth of our faith has much to say to our times. It’s the revelation that all humanity is waiting for: yes, God is near, he loves everyone and he loves each one immensely. Our world needs to hear this, but we can say it only if we repeat it to ourselves first to the point of realizing that we are enveloped by his love, even when everything would make us think the opposite.
“On behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
This faith in the love of God, however, cannot remain closed up within the inner depths of each individual person. As Paul explains very well: God has given us the ministry of bringing others to reconciliation with him (see 2 Cor 5:18) by entrusting to each Christian the great responsibility of witnessing to God’s love for his creatures. How can we do this?
Our way of behaving should make this truth credible. Jesus said clearly that before bringing our offering to the altar, we should be reconciled with our brothers and sisters if they have something against us (see Mt 5:23–24).
And this holds true first of all within our communities: our families, groups, associations or churches. In other words, we are called to break down all the barriers that block harmony among people and nations …
“On behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
“On behalf of Christ” means “in his name.” Our aim then is to take his place, to live with him and to love one another as he loved us, that is, without being limited by attitudes and prejudices, but being open to accepting and appreciating the positive values of our neighbors, even ready to give our lives for them. This is Jesus’ commandment par excellence, the characteristic of Christians, which is as valid today as it was in the time of the first followers of Christ. Living these words means becoming reconcilers.
In this way, if our every gesture, every word, every attitude is imbued with love, they will be like those of Jesus. Like him, we will be bearers of joy and hope, of concord and peace — that is, what all creation is waiting for: a world reconciled to God.
Chiara Lubich
sono contenta perchè Dio mi ama così come sono
Reading and trying to put into practice the word of life everyday gives me a new vision of life
Graças a Deus encontrei quase tudo que desejava sobre Chiara … sua vida, movimento focolare, palavra de vida, musicas, etc. “Salve Mariapolis tu és a meta do meu caminhar ..,” Depois de tantos anos volto a experimentar aquela alegria comprometedora, contagiante e estimuladora que ela proporcionou às pessoas e ao mundo.
No es fácil pedir disculpas a las personas mas cercanas.pero en el amor de Jesús todo se puede.
Much appreciated
Il distintivo dei cristiani e uomini di buona volontà è sempre l’Amore che porta gioia,speranza,concordia e pace.
in un mondo dove regna la cultura della ‘morte’ fa bene tuffarsi nell’amore di Dio, che solo ci da pace e misercordia per cosi poterlo dare agli altri!!! grazie
A.P.
This month’s Word of Life is very impressive for me.
Especially following sentence awakens me so I can deepen my understanding of the New Commandment.
Jesus says ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’ (Jn 15:9). He loved us, therefore, with the very same love with which he and the Father love one another.
And it is with this same love that we must love one another in order to carry out the ‘new’ commandment.
‘New’ means that it is made for the ‘new age’.
Meditating these phrase, I take some time for self-examination how I have lived my life with unenthusiastic and half-hearted attitude.
Chiara emphasized that modern men want to hear real life’s story to live with mutual love, not the sermon on that topic.
From now on, thanks to the Holy Spirit we can try to carry out this New Commandment for our brothers and sisters whom God loves to the utmost extreme.