Daily Reflections

Scripture:

Acts 13:26-33
John 14:1-6

Reflection:

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:  The Lord said to me, ‘You are my Son; this day I have begotten you.’
-Psalm 2

The profession of faith in the Nicene Creed we recite at Sunday Mass begins with: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.”

Our faith begins with a relationship, a loving relationship between Father and Son. We don’t use the word “beget” much anymore, but it has a more profound meaning than just giving birth.  It suggests creating and generating.

Listen to today’s psalm response and what the Lord says to you: “You are my son, you are my daughter, you are my beloved; this day I have begotten you.” This is not a description of our birth but of a bond of love that God can never, will never break. We are derived from love—the love the Father has for Jesus, and the love Jesus has for us.

That love we experience should beget love. Novelist Thomas Mann wrote, “For the beautiful word begets the beautiful deed.” My father often repeated the saying that what is freely received should be freely given. He meant, “Don’t be stingy.” Today’s challenge is to look for an opportunity to beget some love at home or at work, with your child or with a stranger in the grocery checkout line.

But first, believe that you really are the begotten of God.

Robert Hotz is a consultant with American City Bureau, Inc. and was the Director of The Passion of Christ: The Love That Compels Campaign for Holy Cross Province.