June 17

Day 9: The False Stories I Have Believed About Love

Theme: Rewriting Our Understanding of Love Through Christ's Example

First Reading:
2 Corinthians 8:1-9 – Paul speaks about the grace of God that overflowed in the generosity of the Macedonian churches. He reminds us that the true grace of God empowers us to love sacrificially, as Christ did.
"For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Responsorial Psalm:
Psalm 146:2, 5-9 – “Praise the Lord, my soul!”
"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD, his God." (Psalm 146:5)

Gospel:
Matthew 5:43-48 – Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us, modeling unconditional love and forgiveness.
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

Reflection:

In today’s readings, we see how God’s love is not bound by human standards. The Macedonian churches demonstrated extraordinary generosity because they understood the depth of God’s grace, as shown in 2 Corinthians 8:9. Christ’s love for us led Him to become poor so that we might become rich in His grace. Similarly, in Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus challenges us to love our enemies, to go beyond what the world expects and live in a way that reflects God’s love for all people.

Many of us have false beliefs about love, shaped by past experiences, misconceptions, or societal standards. Perhaps we’ve been taught that love is conditional or that it only flows toward those who are easy to love. But Christ’s love is unconditional, sacrificial, and radical. Today, reflect on the false stories you’ve believed about love and how those stories have shaped the way you engage in relationships. Christ's love calls us to reframe these beliefs and replace them with the truth of His sacrificial, all-encompassing love.

Action/Practice:

• Reflect on one false story you’ve believed about love (such as love being conditional, transactional, or only for those who love us). Write about how this false belief has affected your relationships and how Christ’s love invites you to reframe it.

• Practice loving unconditionally today. Choose one person you find difficult to love and pray for them today, seeking God’s guidance in embracing them with compassion and grace.

Daily Goal:

• Reframe your understanding of love today, replacing false stories with Christ’s unconditional love. Begin by practicing unconditional love in your relationships, reflecting Christ’s example.

Journal Prompt:

"What false beliefs about love have I carried? How can I rewrite these stories with Christ’s love and grace? What does unconditional love look like in my life today?"