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This blog is simply meant to bring God the glory; no more and no less. I'd love to hear from you! Comments, questions, conversation. rebecca.labriola@gmail.com

Monday, March 21, 2011

Beloved. Monday March 21. Lent 2011.

“Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. He saved us and called us to a holy life, not according to our works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”


This reading from 2 Timothy 1 seems to explain a lot about our lives.
It is directed to the “beloved”.
This reading is from St. Paul to Timothy.
Timothy was trying to live the good Christian life; just as we are.
Thus, the letter is also directed to us.
BELOVED.
That is us.
We are Christ’s beloved.
We are Christ’s dearly loved.
We are dearly loved.

We are asked to take on the job of sharing the gospel with others.
We know from experience that this job is not easy.
Christ knows that it is not easy.
He even calls it a hardship.
And He knows that we cannot do it alone which is why He tells us to rely on the strength of the Lord when sharing the gospel.

We are called to be holy.
But not by our own means and plans.
Our lives are carefully planned out and designed.
But not by us.
By the ultimate Creator. 

Our example of a holy person is now made manifest through Jesus Christ.
By His death on the cross, He destroyed death and brought life and life after death.
Life, both earthly and everlasting, is brought to light through the gospel.

Christ understands that we are like doubting Thomas.
We need to feel or hear or see that Christ conquered death.
We need to know that He brought with Him everlasting life.
He is not angry that we need assurance.
He understands our failings.
Instead of becoming angry, He helps us with our shortcomings.
He helps our shortcomings by offering us the assurances in this reading.

May the Lord bless us as we continue our challenging journey of sharing the gospel.
May we learn to love sharing Christ’s love story with others so that many will see Your glory.
To His beloveds:
To US!

“You're my beloved, lover I'm yours. Death shall not part us; it's you I died for.  For better or worse, forever we'll be. Our love it unites us, it binds you to me. It's a mystery.”
Beloved-
Tenth Avenue North

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