mention the great of the Last Judgement (cf. Mt 25:31-46), in which becomes the criterion for the definitive decision about a human life's worth or lack thereof. identifies himself with those in need, with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison. “As you did it to one of the least of Torch these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). Love of God and love of neighbour have become one: in the least of the brethren we Fall/Advent find Jesus himself, and in Jesus we find God. 2017 #3 COLLATIO & OPERATIO

-What are some concrete examples of Jesus bearing the fruit of love in his life? -What are some immediate decisions to love others that you can THEME manifest right after participating in the Eucharist? The Fruits of the Holy Spirit : Love -How does knowing and trusting God’s love for you move you to “will the good for other people?” OPENING PRAYER CLOSING PRAYER ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GROUNDRULES TORCH TIMELINE 1. Commitment; no more than 2 planned absences. SEASON FOR SESSIONS MORN OF 2. Confidentiality. TORCHLEADERS REFLECTION 3. Respect each person’s time, allow all to speak. Fall/Advent Leaders Night, Oct. 16-Dec. 9 Dec. 9, 4. Be mindful of different perspectives, don’t 2017 Oct. 12 (8 wks) 9am-1pm presume agreement. 5. Own your own comments. Use “I” statements rather than make generalizations.

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Hi/Low (or other). All are invited to share their reflections one at a time. LECTIO: John 15: 1-5, 8-12 TRADITIO I am the , and my Father is the vine grower. He takes Thomas Aquinas’s definition of love: to will the good of away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one the other. (Summa, 1st Part, Question 20, Article 1). that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit. You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as In his encyclical “God is Love,” (p. 15) Pope Benedict XVI reflected on I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless how love can be both the central commandment of , but also an it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. overflowing gift in our lives bearing itself as the first fruit of the Holy Spirit: I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do “Worship” itself, Eucharistic communion, includes the reality both nothing… of being loved and of loving others in turn. A Eucharist which does not pass over into the concrete practice of love is intrinsically By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become fragmented. Conversely, as we shall have to consider in greater my disciples. As the Father me, so I also love you. Remain in detail below, the “commandment” of love is only possible because my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my it is more than a requirement. Love can be “commanded” because love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in it has first been given. his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one This principle is the starting-point for understanding the great another as I love you. of Jesus. The rich man (cf. Lk 16:19-31) begs from his place of torment that his brothers be informed about what happens to those who simply ignore the poor man in need. Jesus takes up this cry for help as a warning to help us return to the right path. The parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:25-37) offers two particularly important clarifications. Until that time, the concept of SILENT PRAYER “neighbour” was understood as referring essentially to one's oratio: Speak to God directly from your heart; journal if you wish. countrymen and to foreigners who had settled in the land of Israel; contemplatio: Rest in God’s presence, focus on a simple spiritual mantra. in other words, to the closely-knit community of a single country or people. This limit is now abolished. Anyone who needs me, and meditatio: Focus your attention on a phrase, image, scene, or insight. whom I can help, is my neighbour. The concept of “neighbour” is now universalized, yet it remains concrete. Despite being extended PRAEDICARE to all mankind, it is not reduced to a generic, abstract and undemanding expression of love, but calls for my own practical commitment here and now. The Church has the duty to interpret COLLATIO ever anew this relationship between near and far with regard to the actual daily life of her members. Lastly, we should especially