One day, at a random work event, a person sat beside me. We chatted afterward and decided to meet for coffee a few weeks later. In our conversations, we discovered many things in common: she had a sister like mine, a similar age gap with her husband, kids the same age as mine, and sadly, her dad passed away from a heart problem, like mine. Her mom, recently widowed, thought about moving to Perth. It felt like we were meant to meet, not just by chance.
It felt like our meeting was meant to be, not just by chance.
Our shared experiences of similar life stories and dealing with grief gave us the chance to talk about how we cope and find peace. Even though we have different beliefs, it’s been nice to connect over shared feelings of love and loss.
A few weeks ago, I read a news story that stayed with me. It was about a mom sharing how her son chose to end his life. His last words to her were, ‘don’t worry, just go to sleep,’ which made me wonder how someone could do that despite a mother’s love.
This morning, I reflected on how Catholics and others perceive love differently. For us, love isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about giving and sharing that love. We see love as centered around Jesus and others.
Matthew 23: 37-40 says: He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
If social studies suggest that we are social creatures, I believe a better term is that we’re all creatures of love. Our main purpose is to love others and to accept love from God and others. As we journey through life loving others, God provides us with opportunities to share this love, even with people who believe differently.
The connection between understanding ourselves as beings of love and the encounter with that person is this: we’re not just meant to share love with those we feel destined to meet but also with those we encounter every day. Even our closest family members need to experience and feel this deep love.
Let’s recall these words from St. Gemma Galgani’s diary: ‘How could I return His affections? With what words could I express His love, and for this poor creature? Yet He did deign to come. It’s truly impossible, yes, it is impossible not to love Jesus. How many times He asked me if I love Him and if I truly love Him. And do you still doubt it, my Jesus? So, He unites ever more closely with me, talks to me, says He wants me to be perfect, that He too loves me very much and I should reciprocate.’
Love others, and allow yourself to be loved. (LGA)
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