Joseph T. Sullivan - Words of Comfort for Everyday

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him (1 Jn 4:16).

By Rev. Joseph T. Sullivan

Illustrated

CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP.

New York

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IMPRIMATUR: Patrick J. Sheridan, D.D.

Vicar General, Archdiocese of New York

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(T-l86)

eISBN 978-0-89942-089-9

1999 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., N.J.

www.catholicbookpublishing.com

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He has first loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Jn 4:10).

T he goal of living is to love God perfectly. This is everyones calling. Jesus summed up all the commandments by saying:

You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mt 22:36).

Christ also declared, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments (Jn 14:15).

St.Theresa of The Child Jesus, who lived in France in the late 1800s, struggled to discover, to learn, her special vocation in the Church. She describes this search in her autobiography.

She prayed and read St. Pauls First Letter to the Corinthians. The Church has a variety of members who develop their expertise for the glory of God. Theresa did not recognize herself in any of the members or ministries Paul described. Finally, it came to her.

I saw and realized that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love is everything, that this same love embraces every time and place. In one word, that love is everlasting.

Then, nearly ecstatic with supreme joy in my soul, I proclaimed: O Jesus, my love, at last I have found my calling: my call is to love.

This book of prayers speaks directly to God, Who is all loving and deserving of all our love. St. John tells us, God is love, and whoever abides in love, abides in God, and God in him (1 Jn 4:16).

The prayers, one for each day in the year, focus on Gods love and our response in the loving relationship. With Gods grace, hopefully, the loving relationship will grow deeper and stronger as time goes by.

WHOEVER wishes to come after Me must deny self, take up the cross, and follow Me.

Lk 9:23

Lord, You are very clear in Your commandments. The first and most important command is to love You. This calls for complete giving, a loving response, with my whole heart and soul. I wish it were so in my case. I struggle with myself every step of the way. How can I turn myself inside out so there is nothing held back?

Only You, Lord, are limitlessly lovable. It is almost beyond comprehension, yet my shallow mind seems to grasp the concept. I love You, Lord. Help me to obey You more.

LET us therefore love, because God first loved us.

1 Jn 4:19

Let everything that I do today be an expression of love. You, Lord, are my greatest blessing. You brought me into existence. You sheltered me in my mothers womb. I am nourished with the fruit of Your land. You enlighten me about Yourself. You are my Creator. Thank You for the gift of life.

You brought us into existence. You continue to love us. Our lives are filled with light and joy. Move us to hold back nothing in loving You. May every thought, word, and deed be a declaration of my love, consecrating all lifes details to Your glory. I love You, Lord.

ALTHOUGH I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me.

Ps 23:4

When things go bad, Lord, when lifes difficulties mount up, it is time to say, I love You. Let me see through setbacks. You do not stop loving me when I feel miserable. There are times when dark clouds hover overhead and confusion enters my soul. You are never far away. Your love does not take a holiday.

To be mindful of Your grace brings comfort. Help me to love You more because You are working out my eternal salvation in mysterious ways. I love You, Lord.

ONE thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Ps 27:4

It is never too late to love You, Lord. As life progresses we often go off in other directions. We love ourselves instead of You. We seem to forget what life is all about. Yet no one and nothing is more deserving of love than You, Lord.

Why does it take so much time for this to sink in? It is like rain water gradually seeping into the ground. There are rocky surfaces, too. Many Saints, like Augustine, needed time to grow in their appreciation. Capacity to love does increase. I love You, Lord.

FOR those who love God, all things work together unto good.

Rom 8:28

Sometimes I become angry, Lord, when I cannot have my way. But, after quiet thought and prayer, I realize that Your thinking is better than mine. You know best. How limited is my perspective! You love me beyond my wildest expectations and dreams.

Your love is included in all that happens and permeates our world. It is unfathomable. Embracing Your holy will brings peace to mind and heart. All other alternatives fall short. In sickness and in health, I love You, Lord.

LOOK at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Mt 7:26

Love is my calling, my vocation. It is a lifelong quest and the challenge of a lifetime. Nevertheless, love requires me to place others first. Love is not love until it is given away. Where is the security? Who will provide? Fear makes for hesitation.

Jesus encourages us to depend on You, Lord. Because You are all-loving, You provide for everyone. You teach us to love. Love makes the world go round smoothly. When we care, we share. The lesson of love is indispensable. I love You, Lord.

LOVE is patient and is kind; it is not jealous, not puffed up.