The ultimate goal of a society is the common good of the individuals in that society. However, we are living in a society whereby self-interest is now considered as the new normal. People of today have various definitions and reasons for loving, including you and myself. Some normally show concern or love due to what they will gain in return from others; be it material goods, protocol at work place or even in ministry and the like. Others too consider sexual relationship and other forms of pleasure as love.
However, true love has its realization in the fraternal love that you and I share with one another.
Friends, to have a sincere love, we have to go beyond what we sometimes consider as the ordinary. The inspired writer of Song of Songs considers “love as strong as death” (8:6). Death as an irreversible cessation of life, when it befalls, it takes everything of the deceased person.
This is how sincere love is; unlike death which is a cessation of life, a sincere love on the other hand ushers us to eternal life. I would like to believe this is why the reading from 1 John is telling us that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers, and anyone who does not love remains in death.
Love in the words St. Paul, “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)”.
Brothers, if this is love, then why the hatred among us? Why the backbiting? Why are we not giving fraternal correction to our neighbours? Why then are we defaming others at the place of work or on the media for recognition? Why the prejudice among us?
Let our love be ineffable rather than dubious.
God bless you!
