Without Love 

   “If I have all the eloquence of men or of angels, but speak without love, I am simply a gong booming or  a cymbal clashing.  If I have the gift of prophecy, understanding all the mysteries there are, and knowing everything, and if I have faith in all its fullness, to move mountains, but without love, then I am nothing at all.  If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever.” (1 Cor 13: 1 – 3) 

   It's so simple and yet so difficult.  If I do not have the love of God in my heart and share that love with all, nothing I can do will truly please God.  The world may see me as a holy man because of the good I do, but if I do it without love, it is not of God, but of man.  Without love, I cannot do the will of God.

   Jesus said, “But I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.” (Luke 6: 27 – 28).  It's hard to love someone who molests and harms children; one who abuses their spouse and others.  To love a leader who uses his position for his own gain rather than those he is supposed to care for is a difficult calling.  To love someone who hates me and all I believe in is nearly impossible.  And yet, this is what my Lord calls me to do and if I ignore Him how can I say I love Him?

   If I am to love as Jesus tells me to love I must look beyond appearances and seek the presence of Christ in everyone.  He is there, even in those whose actions would lead me to believe otherwise.  Still, Christ loves them, and it is His will that they will turn to Him and seek His mercy and forgiveness.  If I am to share His desire for the good of others, I too must love them and pray for the redemption of their eternal souls.

   St. Paul sums it up quite nicely, “In short, there are three things that last, faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13: 13)