Apr 11: Insight Post by Mario Colorado
Weekly Reading: Luke 22:14-23, Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, John 13:1-38
Friday Reflection
The Call to Remember and Reflect: Jesus asks His disciples to remember His sacrifice through the breaking of bread and drinking of wine. This practice of communion invites us to continually reflect on Christ’s death and resurrection and its significance in our lives.
Friday Verse
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT)
Friday Questions
How can I make the practice of remembrance and reflection more central in my spiritual life? How does reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice impact the way I live daily?
Friday Insight Post
by Mario Colorado
As I write this, I am three days away from my annual fishing pilgrimage to the Florida Keys with my youngest son Mario Jr. We have both spent months preparing for this trip through hours researching maps and studying techniques – all to have a successful weeklong trip. I guess you could say we “love” to go fishing.
But that last statement gives me pause. Do I really “love” fishing? Hooking up to a large jumping fish does provide a burst of adrenaline that adds to the factor. Last week, Mario Jr. told me, “Yeah, I am ready to seek out some endorphins.” I had never heard him say that, and I never thought of it that way, but he is right. In my brain, I have conflated love with pleasure.
I think that my conflation of what I find enjoyable and what is love is a frequent problem that societal and cultural messaging reinforces. I hear things like:
- “Love yourself first”
- “Love is blind”
- “Love unconditionally”
- “Love is love”
All of these statements sound good, but for me, they do not compare or come close to the love that God has for me and humanity. Furthermore, they do not explain how I am supposed to share my love as laid out in the Bible. This week’s bible reading plan reminds me of that. Jesus told his disciples, “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13 NLT).
The Bible gives many examples of how we should love and what it should look like. Many fellow believers might be familiar with: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT).
My belief is that God is the true essence of love and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves that. “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17 NLT).
For me all of this points to Jesus’ sacrificial love. I’ve learned that love is hard work and requires nurturing and giving or sacrificing some or all of myself to live out the plan God has for me.
Mario Colorado
New Hope Volunteer Manager
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org