God’s love without boundaries

Author: Fr. Amala Gnana Prabhu Jesuraj
Transform individuals and communities with God’s love
Reflection Date: January 07, 2025 Tuesday after Epiphany
Daily Readings: 1 John 4:7-10; Mark 6:34-44

1 John 4:7–10 tells us that God is love, which transforms how we understand God and His relationship with us. Love is not merely an attribute of God; it is His very essence. John reminds us that our ability to love comes from God, not from ourselves. We are called to love one another because God first loved us. This love is most clearly demonstrated in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The passage teaches that true love is selfless and sacrificial, transcending boundaries and reaching out even to those who seem unlovable.

Mark 6:34–44 highlights Jesus’s compassion for the crowds who gathered seeking teaching and support. Moved by their need, He acts—teaching them and then performing the miracle of feeding the five thousand. This act of compassion illustrates God’s love in action. Jesus transforms scarcity into abundance through His power, satisfying both physical and spiritual hunger. This miracle reminds us that in Christ, what is insufficient becomes sufficient. Both passages urge us to demonstrate God’s love in practical ways, inspired by our own experience of His love. Loving others as God loves us means being present and responsive, meeting the needs of our communities, and inviting others to know God.

Today’s liturgical readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our love. Are we willing to give our lives in service and share our hearts? In a world marked by division and scarcity, we are reminded of the healing and hope that God’s love brings, transforming individuals and communities. We are called to love and to act, even if our efforts may seem small.

A Call to Action for Catholic Living: Live God’s love through service and compassion. Be present, share generously, and invite others to Christ’s abundant love. Even small acts can transform communities.