Love: Simple and Profound
By Paul J. Ashton, Psy.D., D.Min.
Consultant to the VIRTUS Programs
Consultant to the VIRTUS Programs
Father in heaven, fifty days have celebrated the fullness of the mystery of your revealed love. See your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit's flame. May it come to rest in our hearts and disperse the divisions of word and tongue. With one voice and one song may we praise your name in joy and thanksgiving. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.Pentecost celebrates the beginning of the mission of the Church in the world. It recalls the great love that Christ had for the church and urges us to spread this love like wildfire wherever the wind blows. Pope Benedict reminds us that we are all charged to be the instruments of this love.
While we celebrate the birth of the church, the world is at war suffering from hatred and evil, but we hunger for the peace that only God’s love can bring. If we take a moment to see the love in each person we encounter, I wonder how much of the unrest and anxiety would be replaced with peace and understanding.
While the Church celebrates this great gift of love, we live in an atmosphere of fear and anxiety about the resources of our planet and the financial resources that we have seen dwindle in the stock market and our personal investments and retirement accounts. Many conversations speak of the times in gloom and doom terms always ending with the question, “When and how will this all end?” In trying to figure out why the economy is the way it is we often make broad strokes with our conversational brushes pinning the blame on everyone—every possible institution, political party, or conspiracy theory, possibly with the exception of those close to our own actions and issues. It seems that few have been spared, and many of us may not be in the mood for a celebration.
We stand again with Peter the apostle when he asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” [1] Where do we turn? How do we survive? How do we find Hope in the midst of all of this?
Pope Benedict XVI speaks of the hope that Pentecost brings and reminds us of how important it is to find our strength in the crucified and risen Christ. “This is the mystery of Pentecost: the Holy Spirit illuminates the human spirit and, by revealing Christ Crucified and Risen, indicates the way to become more like him, that is, to be the image and instrument of the love which flows from Christ." [2]
Saint Peter answers his own question with this profound statement of belief, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” [3] It is Jesus, therefore, who shows us the way and that way is love—the only path to life eternal. Jesus is the answer. Love is the answer. If we focus on Jesus’ love for ourselves and for others, then all else will fall into place.
I found this list about unconditional love while scanning the Internet for ways to celebrate Pentecost. It is simple, yet profound. Very much like the word love, itself—simple and profound.
You Know It's Unconditional Love When…
1. When religion becomes a bridge instead of a wall.
2. When one willingly takes the risk of facing persecution in order to serve those in need.
3. When one chooses to respond in compassion amidst an unpleasant condition.
4. When the difference in culture and tradition produces unity and oneness.
5. When equality is measured not by worldly standards but by a divine one.
6. When all similarities are celebrated and differences are respected.
7. When truth becomes the language for deeper understanding.
8. When humility reigns above the popularity gained.
9. When gratitude pervades amidst a seemingly unpleasant case.
10. When perfection is seen in the imperfection of things. [4]
[1] New American Bible, John 6:68
[2] SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST 2006, HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
St. Peter's Square, Deus Caritas Est, n. 33. Sunday, 4 June 2006.
[3] New American Bible, John 6:68
[4] Daisy Ba-ad web-page: http://hubpages.com/hub/Boundless-Love, Internet 13 March 2009.
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