“Do not love the world or the things of the world.” (1 Jn 2:12–17)
St. John reminds us that the heart of the Christian life is love for Christ and a daily desire to walk in His ways. So often, though, our attention drifts. We begin chasing comfort, praise, success, or possessions. When that happens, love becomes turned inward — not truly love at all. “Loving the world” really means placing myself at the center, seeing others, even God, as existing to serve me.
The symptoms are familiar: stress, frustration, resentment, and anger. These can be spiritual warning lights, revealing that we are clinging more to ourselves than to Christ.
The opposite of loving the world is allowing Christ to be our treasure. Yesterday’s reading reminded us that loving Him means keeping His commandments and seeking His will. As St. Paul tells us, such a life bears beautiful fruit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22–23).
Living in Love with God 
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