New commandment – love one another,
As I have loved you, you should also love one another.
What does it mean to love? Love according
to St. Thomas Aquinas – willing the good of the other.
Most famous description of love – St. Paul 1 Cor 13
Love is patient, love is kind, love is not jealous or
boastful,
It is not arrogant and rude.
Love does not insist on its own way, it is not
irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong,
But rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things.
Holy Father recent Exhortation “On Love in the Family” – gives an extended
meditation.
Love is patient:
One does not act on impulse and avoids giving offence. EG internet: get some nasty emails from time
to time. Write my response & hold it for 24 hours. Does not mean being used or mistreated.
Problem is when we think other people should be perfect or act the way I want
them to.
Love is kind:
Love is more than a feeling. We show our love by our deeds. To do good.
Boys and girls – can we help more at home?
Love is not jealous: Fulfills the last 2 commandments. (Shall not covet neighbor’s wife or goods).
There is no room for discomfort at another’s good fortune.
Love is not boastful or arrogant: Do not
need to be the center of attention. Refrain about always speaking about
yourself but be focused on others. This love is marked by humility – to understand,
forgive and serve others from the heart.
Love is not rude: Courtesy: learn how to listen, speak
and at certain times, to keep quiet. Nothing
like a kind look! Words of comfort,
strength, consolation and encouragement.
Love does not insist on its own way: Mothers are the best at this – how many
sacrifices of self!
Love is not irritable or resentful: an interior hostility can grow if we are not
careful. Indignation is only healthy
when it makes us react to injustice. Pope
- Never let the day end without making peace in your family.
Love rejoices with others: Some must
always compare & compete, even with spouse, so they end up rejoicing in
failures. Instead, give glory to God!
Bears all things: - use of tongue. Judge not lest ye be judged. Speak well of
one another.
Believes all things - grow in mutual trust!
Hopes all things: - be a person of hope – that God’s
grace can do wonders.
Endures all things – keeps a positive attitude. A love
that never gives up!
In the end – these three remain – faith, hope &
love, and the greatest of these is love!
