Contemplative Prayer - An Experience of God
"Taste and see that Yahweh is good" (Psalm 34:8); "You have not seen him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him you believe in him and so are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described; and you are sure of the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your souls: (1 Pet. 1:8). Paul wrote to the Philippians about the loss of all things just to gain Christ and to be given a place in Him and to be able to partake of His sufferings (Phil 3:10).
In his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), Pope Benedict XVI quotes the first letter of John, "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" (1 Jn 4:16). Benedict says this is the choice of the Christian - an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ, and through this encounter, this experience, a peson's life is changed. Since God loved us first, love for God and neighbor is a response to this love. The term, "love" is from the Greek "agape", which Benedict says gives Christians a new understanding of the term love. Love becomes concern and care for others. It seeks their good, and is even willing to sacrifice, lay down their lives if need be, for others.
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Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI: Deus Caritas Est 'God is Love' (obtained from the internet, EWTN library) #1,3,6.
"Taste and see that Yahweh is good" (Psalm 34:8); "You have not seen him, yet you love him; and still without seeing him you believe in him and so are already filled with a joy so glorious that it cannot be described; and you are sure of the goal of your faith, that is, the salvation of your souls: (1 Pet. 1:8). Paul wrote to the Philippians about the loss of all things just to gain Christ and to be given a place in Him and to be able to partake of His sufferings (Phil 3:10).
In his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love), Pope Benedict XVI quotes the first letter of John, "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him" (1 Jn 4:16). Benedict says this is the choice of the Christian - an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ, and through this encounter, this experience, a peson's life is changed. Since God loved us first, love for God and neighbor is a response to this love. The term, "love" is from the Greek "agape", which Benedict says gives Christians a new understanding of the term love. Love becomes concern and care for others. It seeks their good, and is even willing to sacrifice, lay down their lives if need be, for others.
________________
Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI: Deus Caritas Est 'God is Love' (obtained from the internet, EWTN library) #1,3,6.
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