Love is a Verb (12/05/2023)

We have a saying in our family which you’ll hear whenever we tell one another goodbye – “Love you; mean it.” It’s a reminder to us that love is a verb, it’s not what we say but rather what we do. And as I’ve tried to teach my children and grandchildren, saying “I love you” comes easily, but meaning it by living it is much harder. I didn’t come to this understanding through books or courses but rather through observation of some remarkable people. From them, I learned that loving well is the most difficult but also most rewarding thing we are called to do. And so, perhaps you understand better my traditional ending to every blog: “Until tomorrow, let us all love well.”

During this season of Advent which began on Sunday, we are called to “Prepare the way.” Considering that our LORD created all goodness from love, through love, and in love, it makes sense to see love as the primary ingredient in our preparations. We know that our Almighty Father sent His beloved and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us as our brother because of love for us and a desire not only for our love but for our life. Because you see, love is the path to life. Love clearly must be the key ingredient of our preparations.

It’s easy to say, “I love you” to another; it’s more difficult to love another, truly love, work for their good and life, setting aside our own desires for the welfare of another. Jesus taught us through His words what true love calls for in his teachings such as the Beatitudes and parables such as the Good Samaritan. But even more than his words, his example showed us the way. Daily we are called to pick up our crosses out of love and follow Christ.

May we take to heart this Advent the words of the Prophet Isaiah and seek wholeheartedly to “Prepare the way.” May we remove unnecessary obstacles and expectations from our relationships and seek to make our relationships “smoother.” May we look at those with whom we struggle in life and seek to see in them as one Christ had on His mind as He hung upon the cross, one whom He was willing to die for that day on Calvary. May we pray to the Holy Spirit for an increase in love as well as fortitude in relationships. And may we turn daily to our LORD, Father, Son, and Spirit in love, through love, and for love.

May we use this Advent season to build loving relationships with others and to repair relationships with others in Christ’s name, for He came to unite us and loving unity is a sign of our true discipleship. May we strive this season to be people of love, not just uttering the words, but living the call to love one another as He loved us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.