Passion and zeal are responses to the grace and love of God. Our reaction to God’s generosity can be a way of praying.
Life is short, and we have only a small window of time to explore the amazing world God has created—the tastes and textures of good food, the astounding beauty of nature, the wonder of human life in all its diversity. Life is short, and we all hope to live lives that matter, that make the world a better place.
It requires zeal to act for justice, to make peace. It takes passion to give ourselves to the common good, to do our small bit for others, to make a fabulous meal. Nothing is accomplished without passion and zeal.
We acknowledge the overwhelming love of God when we share that same love and generosity of spirit for all that God has created.
This message is an excerpt of the Let Us Pray column, “Zeal as prayer,” by Julie K. Aageson in the December 2016 issue of Gather magazine. Today is New Year’s Day and the first Sunday of Christmas. The readings are Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23.
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