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y this  hath  the  charity  of  God  appeared toward us,  because  God  hath  sent  His only-begotten Son  into  the  world,  that  we may  live  by  Him.

Let us,  therefore,  love  God,  because  God first hath  loved  us  (i  John  iv.  9,  19).

Christ died  for  all,  that  they  also  who  live may not  now  live  to  themselves,  but  unto  Him Who died  for  them  and  rose  again  (2  Cor.  v.  1 5).

And I  live,  now  not  but  Christ  liveth in me  (Gal.  ii.  20).

Be ye,  therefore,  followers  of  God,  as  most dear children:

And walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved us and  delivered  Himself  for  us,  an  oblation, and a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  an  odor  of  sweetness (Eph. V.  I,  2).

In this  we  have  known  the  charity  of  God, because He  hath  laid  down  His  life  for  us, and we  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the brethren (John  iii.  16).

My God,  grant  that  I  may  love  Thee,  and be the  only  reward  of  my  love  to  love  Thee always more  and  more.

Indulgence of 100  days,  once  a  day. — Leo  XIII, March 18,  1890.