Abound in love for one another

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.” (1 THES 3: 12-13)

To “abound in love for one another” is the shortest way “to be blameless in holiness” because there is no holiness in self perfection or in scrupulous observance of the commandments. Only “love for one another and for all” can “strengthen our hearts” and can bring us closer to God. Advent gives us a fantastic opportunity to grow and “abound in love for one another,” especially with our spouses and with our families—protecting our relationships, protecting time for us and increasing our respect for each other and creativity in being a gift of self.

“Show us, Lord, your love; and grant us your salvation.” (Gospel Acclamation)