Celebrate the Day of True Love

Every February 14 in some countries, including the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated, also known as the Day of Love. It is customary for friends and lovers, classmates, and parents and children to exchange cards , and even chocolates and gifts.

We have all spent some time philosophizing with others about what love is. Few words are so difficult to define. And few words are so abused. There are those who claim to love when in reality they only feel a superficial attachment or infatuation for another person. There are others who say they love their dog, their car, and even their favorite chewing gum.

If you asked 10 of your friends to define the word "love" you would surely hear 10 totally different responses. Some definitions would be superficial and banal. Others would be unrealistic and mystical. And still others could be deep and meaty. The reality is that each of us has our own definition of what love consists of.

The concept of love has been studied by theologians, philosophers, psychologists, and sociologists. Although each researcher elaborates his own theory, all agree that the concept of love has evolved through history. They also share the perception that love is greatly influenced by cultural background and individual experiences.

But can it be true that such a universal concept, so intimately linked to all relational aspects of human experience from birth to death, is subject to historical and cultural coming and going? It doesn't seem possible to me.

I recognize that the external manifestations of love may vary according to time and culture, but the essence of love remains intact through the centuries. Love is not a human invention but an exquisite gift from God to his creatures. As a disciple of Christ I know that "God is love" (1John 4: 8). I also know that from the beginning of Scripture God condensed His Law into: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6: 5); and you will love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The love that the Bible talks about is not the easy, conditional love that the world sings about.

How do you define love: according to the passing concepts of the world or the eternal concepts expressed by God? If you live according to a superficial concept of love you will love yourself, superficially. If you determine to embrace and live day after day according to the concept of love that God establishes in His Word, you will be challenged to love at new levels of height and maturity. Don't settle for the cheap version. Proactively seek to love according to the standard of Christ.

In the Bible there are a great number of passages that treat the subject of love from the perspective of the One who “loves us with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31: 3). One of these is found in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7. I challenge you to read it slowly and use it to examine your own way of loving.

Love is long-suffering, it is benign;

Love does not envy,

Love is not boastful, it is not puffed up;

He does nothing wrong, does not seek his own,

He is not irritated, he does not hold a grudge;

One does not enjoy injustice, but one enjoys the truth.

He suffers everything, he believes everything,

Everything awaits, supports everything.

Love never stops being.

In evaluating the quality of my way of loving in light of this passage, I have to admit that I have a long way to go. But that reality does not discourage me. On the contrary, it encourages me to receive with greater gratitude the perfect love that the Father pours out on this imperfect daughter. And it also challenges me to express true love to all who accompany me on this journey that we call life. What do you think if you also invite God to be the one who defines and informs your way of loving?

Prayer

Thank you my God for your tender and undeserved love. May I love you as you deserve it. May I honor you by naturally expressing your supernatural love to my neighbor.