How Do I Love Thee?

St. Valentine's Day is always associated with romantic love, but it is interesting to consider what love is really. Yes, we experience "feelings" of love. But in Truth, love really is not a feeling. It is an action. It's the way we choose to behave in any given circumstance. St. Paul gives a perfect description of love in his First Letter to the Corinthians (12:4-8).

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered,
it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things,
believes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails."

Several years ago, I read about a fascinating way to meditate upon these scripture verses. It was suggested to, after reading the above verses all the way through, replace the word "love" with the Name "God". God, after all, Is Love (1 John 4:8). We can then ponder what that says about our Trinitarian Lord. After taking several moments to do that, replace the word "love" with your own name. Ouch! When I read 1 Corinthians with my name inserted, it gives me a much better understanding of where I need to continue to grow daily in every relationship. For me, this is not always an easy, self-imposed Examination of Conscience. Admittedly, I sometimes like to feel justified for not acting and thinking in loving ways. But, this is not God's Way. As I've mentioned before, God has often gently reminded me My Ways are not your ways. Jesus reminds us "to love one another." But He doesn't stop there. He continues on to say, "... love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you... for if you love (only) those who love you, what recompense is it to you?" (Matthew 5:44,46). Am I really interested in leaving all that I have and following Jesus? Frequently doing this exercise challenges me to get back on His path instead of remaining on my own.

Be Not Afraid

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord" (Luke 2:11). This is the heralding of the Good News of Jesus the Christ, which we hear most often at Christmastime. Throughout Sacred Scripture, the messages from God, whether from angels or Jesus Himself, are prefaced with "Do not be afraid." Pope John Paul II's homilies and speeches were marked by our Lord's Words "Be Not Afraid." So often, we are faced with fears that keep us from the best that love and life have to offer. I'm not talking about the kind of fear that protects us and keeps us out of harm's way. I'm talking about the kind of fear that is instilled in us by lies. Lies we tell ourselves, lies others tell us about ourselves, lies others tell us about others. Fear can be debilitating, and it can cause us to make poor decisions. It can cause us to stop believing in ourselves and those we love. It can cause us to not love and respect those who are different from ourselves. I truly believe that the opposite of love is not hate, but fear. Fear is at the root of everything that is the antithesis of love... anger, hate, gossip, fighting, war, back-biting, break down in communication; and also discouragement, loss of hope, and lack of joy. As I told a friend recently, I have made so many mistakes in my life... all based on fear. But, I can't fall into the trap of believing that every decision I have made has been wrong. When I find myself looking back at some of my decisions, I try to remind myself "that all things work for good" (Romans 8:28). Now when I make decisions, I try very hard to let "peace" be my deciding factor (Colossians 3:15). Very often when I seek God's direction, the Words that I hear from Him are Do Not be Afraid. That is usually a pretty good indicator to me to move forward with something or, at the very least, that whatever decision I make will not steer me in the wrong direction in a particular situation. It helps me to remember that God is with me always. "Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice" (Isaiah 41:10). In the words of our beautiful Lord, "Do not be afraid; just have faith (Mark 5:36). I pray that you will find the courage to trust in the Lord, resist fear, and live a life of love. Remember always Jesus' Words: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27).

Santa Claus

Today, the Feast of St. Nicholas, we honor the fourth century Bishop of Myra. "Perhaps the best-known story about Nicholas concerns his charity toward a poor man who was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters of marriageable age. Rather than see them forced into prostitution, Nicholas secretly tossed a bag of gold through the poor man's window on three separate occasions, thus enabling the daughters to be married. Over the centuries, this particular legend evolved into the custom of gift-giving on the saint's feast day. In the English-speaking countries, St. Nicholas became, by a twist of the tongue, Santa Claus... further expanding the example of generosity portrayed by this holy bishop" (American Catholic.org). May our own charity be a sign to the world of the great gift of Love given to us by our Father in Heaven... Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.

This is My Commandment

Today, on this Eve of the Feast of All Saints, I continue the series about detach- ment. Today's topic is also about detachment from others but with a bit of a twist. We live in a world with great differences among its people...differences in race, traditions, foods, ideas, beliefs, and values. We often find ourselves in circumstances in which, because of our differences, we find it very difficult to like, let alone love, people with differing world views. But, as my priest pointed out this morning, above all else, we are commanded (not suggested) to love one another as Jesus loves us (John 15:12). What does that mean for us in regards to detachment? It means that despite what others are doing, no matter what, we are to find joy and happiness in our own lives for the simple reason that we are Loved perfectly by our Father in Heaven. This, of course, does not imply that all behaviors of others are acceptable and should be tolerated. Very often, action may be required of us to stop abuses. But, despite unfavorable behaviors (our own included), we are called to love. May we persevere in witnessing the Love that God so generously bestows upon us.