As usual, I was filled and inspired by the Holy Spirit at mass this morning. The readings were so perfect. I have been focusing on finding my passion and trying to move only in that direction without being so distracted by “what looks good on paper”. Improving my own inner dialogue and body language. Intuition. Discernment. I have been visiting with a friend lately on this very point and he reminded me that we are called to do one thing: LOVE. To bring love, to share love. To love your neighbor as yourself. We are not called to do anything else with the people around us except love them. We are reminded of this in the Gospel reading of today, Luke 10:25-37. One of Jesus’ most famous parables of the Good Samaritan is only described in this Gospel and I am thankful to be reminded how simple it (loving others) really is. Just showing mercy on others who we come upon in our normal, daily path, just like the Good Samaritan in the story. We don’t have to go out of our way to find people to love and we don’t have to give more than we have. There are people right before you and you are already well equipped to care for them. And it takes more than just “feeling for the person” but acting on the feeling. Love with action. Find a need and fill it, right? What does that person need and how can you help? Maybe your story will be lending a listening ear or spending time with a person. That could be the oil and wine you use to care for their wounds. What do you have in your “pocket”, per se, to care for those around you? It’s not necessarily two silver coins but it may be two feet and two hands motivated by love and guided by your spiritual gifts on a path of love and tenderness that will heal everyone you meet.

You may wonder where you will find all of this love, compassion and action?! It’s inside of you, as promised. Moses talks about that promise in today’s first reading, Deuteronomy 30:10-14, and reminds us that God actually gave us everything we need to be successful at this life. Whatever we want is INSIDE of us! It’s not unknown to us or hidden in the sky or across the sea. It’s actually inside of us already. All we have to do is ACT. Like in the Gospel reading, it’s not just a feeling we show to others. It’s acting when we are faced with an opportunity to love our neighbors. This personal journey reminds me of one of my favorite books, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

Today’s readings and thoughts reminded me of the advice in 1 John 4 about intuition and love. I made it more personal by inserting my name. Try it! (read the whole chapter, I only mixed in parts of it here)

You, dear one, are from God and have overcome the spirits of the world, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…… There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

It’s a confusing world out there, and we are constantly being pulled in many different directions by friends, family, community, society, etc., but if you just sharpen your intuition, you will begin to realize that it’s not as hard as we make it. We just need to let the spirit move us. Act on our love when we feel inspired to do so. No need to hesitate or fear because, like the readings above, perfect love drives out fear. Act in love and there is no fear. And that love is within you. God did not hide it from you, He hid it within you. Search deep within yourself and have courage to cut the strings that are binding you to fear. You are not a puppet on a string; you are a soldier of LOVE!  Act now, we are in a spiritual war and there’s no time to waste.

Peace.