Greetings Prayer Warriors,
If someone saved our
life, we would have immeasurable gratitude. Try as we might, we would never
know exactly how to repay anyone for such a gift, for the value of one’s life
is without price. Paradoxically, how little gratitude we show to Him who saved
our soul from death and gave it
eternal life. Shouldn’t we be continually
seeking ways to thank Him? As the Good
Shepherd, He showed us what love truly is.
The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life
for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16
How difficult it is to imitate Christ’s sacrificial love in
even the smallest ways. In your
marriage, contemplate the ways in which you die-to-self for the benefit of your
spouse. Or maybe it’s best to consider the
ways that you should? Perhaps it is
in the exact moment that one truly dies–to-self that Christ brings new life into
their marriage. For only He can
resurrect what others deemed as already dead.
You brought my life up from the pit, O LORD, my God. Jonah 2:7
Just as Christ laid down His life for His sheep, consider
how the Virgin Mary prefigured his sacrifice by laying her life down for the Lamb. In turn, Joseph sacrificed his self-will for love
of his spouse and child. What a
beautiful witness to marital and familial love!
Lord, help us to
aspire to such heights! Give each of us proportionately
the grace we need to grow in the virtue of love. May this love be spent on
others, especially our spouse. As always, we trust in your redeeming grace! Amen.
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Death is only a passageway to new life. Sacrifice to benefit your spouse and you may
just be surprised at the result. Pass it
on!
