What Will We Do For Jesus?

In February, especially St. Valentine’s Day, many consider this a time for love. Husbands buy their wives chocolates and flowers, children are giving other children Valentine’s day cards, and so much love is to be shown for one another. However, the most important relationship comes to my mind. That is, Jesus Christ. And the question that follows is, “What have we done and what will we continue to do for Him?” 

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing (St. Therese of Lisieux).

As Catholics, we all know and profess the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The ultimate sacrifice that bought the price of our salvation with His Most Precious Blood: opening the gates of Heaven to us. Even still today, Jesus continues to bless us with His Love. He heals us, teaches us, and guides us. Moreover, Jesus loves us truly and more deeply than any human ever could. 

That is what is interesting. Friends come and go. Relationships come and go, but God is unchanging and reliable. He is always there and will never leave you. You are loved. 

What Will I Do For Jesus?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. So let us ponder this question, “What have we done and what will we continue to do for Him?”

Personally, I always find Lent to be a spiritually enriching time. Whether I fast or do something extra, I do it all to grow in my relationship with Jesus. This year, I endeavor to increase my time in prayer and silence. With an honest heart, I can say today’s distractions can be so noisy and loud that I lose my focus sometimes on what is most important. However, I know that “God is love” and my relationship with Him is what matters most. 

In Genesis, God says we are created in His image and His likeness and we are “ very good.” We should believe this with our whole heart. People may come across our path and say, “we are not good enough” but this is false. Each one of us has the potential to do great things even if the acts are small. Love makes them true acts of selflessness which God recognizes. 

The Message of Love

Pope Francis shared a message about love recently for this season of Lent. He said, “Love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives. It enables us to view those in need as members of our own family, as friends, brothers, or sisters. A small amount, if given with love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness.” 

Another good thing we can do during Lent to make it a season of loving Jesus is to recite this Bible verse on love often. It is (1 Corinthians 13: 1-13)

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated,

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.

For we know partially and we prophesy partially,

but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.

At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.

 So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Because of God’s Love For Us

This season of Lent, let us do acts of love as well as recognize God’s love for us. Because of this horrible pandemic, a lot of us are unable to go to Mass. I say watch the Mass on television, say a rosary, spend time in silence with Jesus. But also, just talk to and grow closer to your loved ones. We have so little time here on earth, let us spend it wisely. Hold a hand. Give a phone call. Write thank you notes. Do whatever you must to share God’s love.