We continued our Lenten Journey the other night and talked about our daily choice to love more or to love less. It seems to me that LOVING is the bottom line for all that I say, think or do. I was created to love.
We talked about how Jesus always went out of his way to love the unloveable. He did not shy away from them or avoid them. He did not try to manipulate them with excuses or political maneuvering. Jesus purely loved.
During Lent, when we think a lot about what we will "give up" or sacrifice, it is good to that of all the offerings we can think of giving God during this season, the one in which God is most pleased is LOVE.
So, how am I doing with my efforts to love? Am I loving more or am I loving less than I can? Am I withholding love from anyone I dislike or with whom I disagree? Would those who know me say that I was a loving person or not?
It is not easy to love wholeheartedly, to love more. I can look for lots of excuses of why I cannot love more, but usually even I tell when my excuses leave much to be desired. After all, who am I fooling, even if my excuse seems to be an honest reason for not loving more? I know and God knows my heart.
When I make an effort to love more, no matter how I feel or how I may be able to justify a less loving path, I am dying to myself, to my feelings, to my self-proclaimed rights, etc. This is the Resurrection Way. Not only do I rise to a selflessness that is good and holy, but I also help others rise again in spirit, through my influence and generosity.
As Saint Paul wrote so eleoquently, "If I have not love, I am nothing at all."
We talked about how Jesus always went out of his way to love the unloveable. He did not shy away from them or avoid them. He did not try to manipulate them with excuses or political maneuvering. Jesus purely loved.
During Lent, when we think a lot about what we will "give up" or sacrifice, it is good to that of all the offerings we can think of giving God during this season, the one in which God is most pleased is LOVE.
So, how am I doing with my efforts to love? Am I loving more or am I loving less than I can? Am I withholding love from anyone I dislike or with whom I disagree? Would those who know me say that I was a loving person or not?
It is not easy to love wholeheartedly, to love more. I can look for lots of excuses of why I cannot love more, but usually even I tell when my excuses leave much to be desired. After all, who am I fooling, even if my excuse seems to be an honest reason for not loving more? I know and God knows my heart.
When I make an effort to love more, no matter how I feel or how I may be able to justify a less loving path, I am dying to myself, to my feelings, to my self-proclaimed rights, etc. This is the Resurrection Way. Not only do I rise to a selflessness that is good and holy, but I also help others rise again in spirit, through my influence and generosity.
As Saint Paul wrote so eleoquently, "If I have not love, I am nothing at all."
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