“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” is echoed in Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical, “God is Love.”. These words from John 1 are intended to reach the ears and touch the hearts of every human being created in the image of God.
Life and love are two things that can easily fall into the “take for granted” attitude. As we reflect on life, we need to recognize that each human life is uniquely created by God. Yet, as we are hustling about to drive the children to soccer games, ballet lessons and karate classes, we can easily get caught up in the activities of our daily lives and lose our bearings. It is during these times that we need to reserve quiet time to focus on the central truth of life.
While we are in this quiet space of our daily lives, take time to focus on our loving heavenly Father who created us with love. The gift of love is a fundamental and innate vocation of every human being. God created us out of love and He calls us to love one another.
Life and love, two gifts from God. Both need nurturing and protecting with respect and dignity. As Christians, each of us is called to share our God-given talents, treasures and time. We are invited to respect life and to find practical ways of reaching out in kindness toward those who are less fortunate. On the path of life, one never knows who God might put before us as he calls us to offer support, service and love with compassion and understanding.
One could ask why two such beautiful gifts as life and love would be abused, misused and under attack. There are more than a million children aborted each year in our country alone. Scientists destroy human embryos to harvest stem cells regardless of the fact that these unethical efforts are only theoretical. There have been medical successes using adult stem cells, so why don’t scientists redirect their efforts to this type of research? In our own country, we have legalized assisted suicide as an appropriate treatment for the aged and the disabled. Domestic violence – it is closer than you think – often goes unrecognized until a tragedy occurs. This is just one more of the many attacks on life and love.
In Genesis, we read, “God created them man and woman.” Their mutual love becomes an image of the absolute and unfailing love with which God loves man.”
Somewhere, someone said, “Love is what keeps our hearts strong and enables us to continue to fight the battle for life.”
For a moment, ponder these questions. How can I help to build a better and safer society? What changes are necessary to bring about a culture of life? What can I do personally and in collaboration with others to make a difference?
Know the truth! The truth is that human life is a precious gift from God. It is given in love and reflects His love for us and our status as His children. Know that we need to work together to create an awareness of God’s gifts of life and love in our parishes, within our families and in our own little circles of life.
