First Reading for the Optional Memorial of Saint John of God

1 John 3:14-18

Summary: We know we belong to life because we love. If we ignore others in need, God’s love is not in us. Love must be real, shown through what we do.

Love Shown in Action

Beloved: We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that anyone who is a murderer does not have eternal life remaining in him.

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. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? Children, let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.

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