Choosing Love

“It is our job to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.” – Thomas Merton

We are called and created to love others. Love is a deliberate decision – you choose every day to love those around you. But, are we truly loving those around us, or simply waiting to see if they deserve it – if they have earned it?

Love requires us to give of ourselves. Choosing to care for another’s needs and burdens over our own. But we cannot love of our own abilities. We can try, but our love always comes up short, because our love is selfish. True, selfless love must come from Christ. When we try on our own, we fail, get frustrated, give up, and leave. We cannot love others without first being eternally loved – loved by the One who died to see us live. Loved by the one who knit us together in the womb of our mothers. The One who shows us how to sacrifice and love others.

First John chapter 4 verses 10 – 12 says this:

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The chapter goes on to say this in verses 19 – 21:

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

We are the mirrors of His love. We are the hands and feet of Christ. Not just today, but every day.

Laying Down Yourself

“You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make.” – Gordon Hinckley

How often do we take for granted the sacrifices made around us? Do we adequately acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices our spouse makes for our children and us? Are we grateful for those who have served in the military at times – other than holidays? And are we truly appreciative for those who sacrifice in ministry – both at Catholic Charities and in churches, schools, and on mission fields around the world?

If someone were to literally lay their life down for yours, wouldn’t you do everything within your power to show them every day that sacrifice was worth it – their life was not given up in vein? What if someone laid down their life for your child – how would that change both your perspective and attitude?

Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. We didn’t deserve it, but He gave His perfect life in death so we could live. His blood was not only shed for our sins but was also shed for our redemption.

A favorite reminder of this is found in 1 John 4:9 – 12

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

Giving up one’s self for another takes service to a whole new level. To lay down your life for another – that is true love. To all those who lay down themselves for Catholic Charities – whether with time, prayer, and financial support – thank you. You are the hands and feet of Christ. Thank you for continually providing help, creating hope and serving all.