A WORD FOR TODAY 11 FEBRUARY 2021

*A WORD FOR TODAY

*GROW IN LOVE FOR GOD AND FOR ONE ANOTHER

_"Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked, and were not ashamed."(Genesis 2:18-25)_

_*The story in the first reading of today gives us the foundation for the establishment of marriage as an institution by God. God made man in his own image and likeness and in the second account of creation, He made the woman from the man, not to show any element of inferiority, but as a helper and companion to man.*_

_Marriage is established primarily for companionship and also for the continuation of the human race. We see love in the heart of man through His expression when he saw the woman, he exclaimed, "this at last is the bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh."_

_*If there is no love, there will be no marriage, because marriage is built on the foundation of love and mutual respect. Couples that truly love each other will be willing and ready to lay down their lives for each other and make sacrifices that will benefit them. Marriages could pass through different challenges and tests, but couples who truly love each other will work through it together and overcome the turbulence, rather than give up without trying to save what they love.*_

_The love we have for each other, flows from the love that God has put in our heart through the love that He has shown to us in creation and also by sending His Son to come and die for us in order to redeem us. The love of God must always move us to love one another and make the world a happy place instead of a place of sorrow and sadness._

_*We must constantly work hard to make our love for God to grow and in that way we shall have the capacity to love others as God has loved us. Where there is true love, there will be peace, serenity and tranquility even in the face of challenges and difficulties.*_

_The woman in the gospel reading approached Jesus to seek His help for her daughter. She loved her and was ready to take any insult so long as her daughter is made well and in the end her faith made her to receive what she asked for._

_*If you are married or about to get married, make sure you renew your love for each other everyday, but if you are not married, you must also love others as God has loved you. True love makes marriage and our inter-personal relationship beautiful.*_

_Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you do your work and do have a lovely day. May God's love for you continue to guide you as you strive to love others as He has loved you. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.*_

*Meditation:* Genesis 2:18-25/Psalm 128:1-5/Mark 7:24-30

*Watch-Word:* Blessed are all who fear the Lord

*Love is the greatest gift we have. If we love God, we must love others as He has loved us. Let your for God and your neighbour grow everyday.*

(Thursday of the fifth week in the ordinary time. Year I)