STEP37: Choose To Love

"Now I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another." (John 13:34)

*From Christian Community Bible (Catholic Pastoral Edition):

The Old Testament spoke of interior fidelity to God and love of neighbor, but this message often remained hidden among the complexities of the Law. Besides, there are many ways of loving: even a fanatically religious person can claim to be loving God. In the New Testament Jesus says that love of God is the highest law. The example given by the Lord during His earthly life reminds us of the way to love.

Love that is like God's aims at liberating our neighbor and enabling them to fully develop their God-given gifts. Love like the Lord's helps the neighbor become what God wishes them to be, by passing through death to resurrection.

Moreover, when we go deeper into the mystery of divine love revealed to us through Jesus, our love becomes merged with the eternal love of God that alone, in the end, shall permeate all we do. True love comes from God and makes us return to unity within God.

Time and again, Jesus points out the unique importance of Christian love. Later, His apostles and the Church would sum up His teaching on love: Love of God is shown through love of our neighbor, love of our neighbor depends on love of God. What is it really to love God? The great saints and mystics of the Church tell us that love of God is not "to feel God," to feel devotion or affection for God. Christian love lies not in sentiment or feelings (though on some occasions we might feel affection or devotion, which is helpful); to love God is to be determined to do what God wishes at each moment of our lives. What God wishes of us regarding our neighbor is that we render loving service and forgiveness. :)

*STEP is a personal project of someone who is in the midst of a great spiritual battle. Fight with her. Pray for her. :)

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