Friday's Reflection

"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

I enjoyed last night the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.  This piece of fiction has many treasures within that can serve as a light reflection just prior to this weekend. One of the prevalent themes in the Harry Potter series is the overwhelming power of Love versus Evil. Harry is our symbol of love and his nemesis, it is revealed, has no concept of true love.  Our protagonist, Harry, has such a messianic complex that in the course of the movie we are told that he has to sacrifice himself before we come to the climax of the film.  Now, what does this have to do with scripture and our spirituality.  Our lives are the gift of God to us.  The sanctity of life and dignity of the human person are what the Church teaches that we should defend most ardently at all times.  We are called to imitate Christ and his goodness but in the course of his life he gave his life for all.  In this we should expect in our lives to sacrifice for others.  We may not be called to give our lives in the literal sense in matyrdom or in humble sacrifice.  But at the very least we are called to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is through prayer and discernment where we will find what God has for us in our lives. In the great plan of God there is a unique plan for each of us.  But at the end of the day we must know that each of us willed and each of us loved.  Our lives must bear witness to the Glory of God made manifest in our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.  His love is with us most tangibly in his corporal presence in the Eucharist.  God loves us and we should love ourselves and each other. Perhaps even so far as to lay down our lives so that another may live.

"Father God, you are our hope and all our joy rests in you.  In the perfect plan you created man and though we fell away, you gave us redemption and salvation in your son, Jesus Christ.  In the perfect sacrifice which has purchased our peace in you, may we come to celebrate the joy of the kingdom where you reign forever and ever, Amen."