Meditation

Read John 13:31-35

Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.—John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

When I was much younger, my grandparents adopted me after my mother dies. My grandmother was my biggest fan and supported me in school and in my extracurricular activities. She truly loved me. We were always together, so people would always associate me with her and her with me.

When we were apart, people would always ask about the other person.

Since then, I have made poor choices and am now in prison. My grandmother passed away a couple of years ago. Since I don’t get visits, I have a job as the visitation park photographer. Now when families come for visits, I recognize them and associate them with the person they are visiting. Sometimes, even when I have not met someone’s family before, I recognize similar features and end up seeing that person in them.

I wonder if people recognize us as always being with God. When they see us, do they also see God and recognize Christ in us? Scripture reminds us that others will see Christ in us when we love one another.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to reflect you in all that we do. May others see you in us today and every day. Amen.

Thought for the day: Does my relationship with Jesus show through my actions?

—Nicholas Patterson, Florida