nothing without love (see 1 cor 13:2)
"I tell you, that is why her many sins are forgiven — because of her great love. Little is forgiven the one whose love is small." —Luke 7:47
God is Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). So life in God is all about love. In fact, the Christian is about abiding in love and abiding in God (1 Jn 4:16).
First of all, we receive God's love. We are God's "beloved." He loves us infinitely, unconditionally, personally, and perfectly.
Then we love because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19). Impelled by love (2 Cor 5:14), we come to decide to love God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength (Lk 10:27).
After receiving love from God and returning love to God, we begin to love ourselves (Lk 10:27). This makes it possible to love our neighbors as ourselves (Lk 10:27). We can extend God's love even to our enemies by forgiving them (see Lk 6:27, 35). Abiding in God's love, we can even lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 3:16). We can even die for love of those who would put us to death.
Live forever in love. Love God, Who is Love.
Prayer: Father, give me enough love to repent.
Promise: "Your faith has been your salvation. Now go in peace." —Lk 7:50
Praise: St. Januarius and his companions were martyred in the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Love, order, listen to, or download our CD 58-1 or DVD 58 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 15, 2019
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