Love Is Everywhere. It is fair to say that one of the most used words is the word “love.” Love has been the theme of countless songs, love is the reason for which many people claim to have done the craziest things in their lives, and love is considered, by many, the only important thing in this life. But what really is love? In many ways, the word love is so widely used that we have watered down its real meaning and essence. We can say we love our mom, in the same way in which we say we love chocolates. We can refer to the fact that we love our jobs, in the same we in which we say we love God.
Love in Deed and Truth
It is interesting that the first reading of today refers to this. In his first letter, John tells the churches he has evangelized: “little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.” I can easily say: “I love” something, but what does St. John mean when he says “love in deed and in truth”? What is true love? By this statement, John clearly affirms that there is a love that goes beyond all kinds of love, and which, in fact, forms our very capacity to love. This love is the love that Christ has shown for us, and which is the love that He sent the disciples to announce: The love in the dimension of the Cross, love beyond death. It is a love that is pure action, and that does not consider its own interest; it simply gives itself, even to the end.
In fact, St. John says that “we know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren.” If we really love the other, we would be willing to give our own life for that person. However, it is a lot easier to say that we have this love for the other than to actually demonstrate it with acts and deeds. In many cases, it is our fear to give ourselves completely, that prevents us from loving in this way. Many times, we end up considering our own interests first, what will I get from the relationship, or we simply put ourselves ahead of the other. When this happens, we are unable to share in the dimension of Christ’s love, and we end up loving “in word and in speech.” How can we share in this love? How can I love in this way? I need help that comes from above.
Love From Above
I need to see that the heavens are opened, and that Christ is willing to give me His Spirit. The Gospel of today is very comforting, and it connects beautifully with St. John’s reading in this point precisely. In the Gospel, we hear the dialogue between Jesus and Nathanael. Nathanael is surprised that Jesus knows him. Even if he has been a bit critical and judgmental, when he feels loved by Christ, he recognizes in him the love of God, and he states: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God!” Instead of praising him for professing his faith in him, Jesus promises Nathanael – and through him to all of us- that he will “see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
This promise has been fulfilled by Christ, who through his Paschal Mystery, has opened the heavens for us, and has sent from there His Spirit in abundance, so that we may love not only in word or in speech, but in deed. Christ has made it possible for us to share in His very Spirit, so that we may fulfill the vocation to love that St. John refers in the first reading.
It is true that to love others is easier said than done. However, it is an immense joy to realize that, through Christ, we can pass from our words to our actions. And live our call fully and fruitfully. May the Lord, whose birth we celebrate during this time, and whose coming to this earth opened for us the possibility to share in His divine life, give us the grace to desire His love in us, always!
