The word of God gives us the realization that the essence of God is love.  When St. John says “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” the apostle reminds us that to know and experience God we must live in love. We should be filled with the Holy Spirit for this to manifest in our lives. “Because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5: 5).

This should lead us to the commandment Jesus gave to love one another. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). St Paul in his letter to Romans 13:10 reminds us that, “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” When families, communities and individuals experience this true love then the power of the Triune God will be established in the world.

Renewal Retreat Center is the cynosure of God’s love. Every person who enters this sanctuary experiences God’s forgiveness and eternal love. Let us also experience this love and spread this love to others and pray together the love of Jesus. Mother Mary who in the union of prayer prepared the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit may intercede for the showering of the Holy Spirit into our lives, families and in the Renewal Retreat Centre.

Fr Bineesh Mankunnel CST