It's All about Love

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 139
Gospel: Luke 6:27-38


Steven Curtis Chapman has a song called "It's All About Love." This is a very good song, and the title of that song sums up the readings today. It's all about love. We are told that there are three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love...and the greatest of these is love (ref. 1 Cor13:13). Love is a great gift that we are given by God, just think about the sign that you see at most major sports games: John 3:16 ("For God so loved that world that He gave His only Son..."). God loves us so much, more than we could ever fully understand and more than we deserve. He wants us to join Him in heaven one day...but how do we get there? Love.

We are told in the gospel today that we should love everyone. If we only love those who love us or are nice to us, then that is no credit to us. If we only do good to those who do good to us, then how are we living out the gospel? Unfortunately we would just be taking the easy out. But we do need to go out and do the hard thing of loving everyone, not just those that it seems easier to love. We are called to love those that betray us, hurt us, plot against us, and mistreat us. This is certainly not easy to do, but it is what we are called to do. Believe it or not, it is really simple to go about loving everyone. There is no secret formula, no magic tricks, no special pill to take...you just do it. It is that simple. Remember love is a choice, it requires action. It is not just a feeling, it is a choice. If you are having trouble loving someone, then you must figure out what is getting in the way of you making that choice. once you figure it out, you just have to let go of whatever it is that is holding you back.

I understand that some situations are easier than others. I understand that loving someone and letting go of things from those who do you wrong is difficult. Believe me, I struggle with this daily. This is where we must be patient with ourselves. I do believe that the more that we get into this habit, the more willing we will be to chose to love all those around us. Like Paul says in the first reading today; "Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up." So the more we love, the more it builds up.

Let us ask Christ for His help in learning how we can love more, and love better. Let us follow His example.

Father above, we thank you for this day. Forgive us for holding back our love for others, forgive us for letting our pride and other things get in the way of our loving others. Lord help us to choose to love all of our brothers and sisters without holding back. Lord we pray for all those who are struggling with love in their life, we pray that they might let go of the things holding them back. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.