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Authentic Love

I recently heard an amazing homily at our parish on the Feast of the Epiphany. He preached on the gift of the Magi. His teaching has occupied my mind for several days. How can I apply this teaching in my life?

He gave us a way to be like the Three Kings and give the gift of the Magi...namely give Love. He said, the gift of the Magi is Selfless Love to the point of Personal Sacrifice. How beautiful. Is it really love if we give of ourselves, but it doesn't hurt? Giving of ourselves is great, generous, noble, kind, considerate etc, but when does giving of ourselves turn into Love? When does that generosity turn into True Charity? Our Pastor explained, that selflessness should hurt, and it should hurt us personally, closely and deeply. That is Love. That is Charity.

What mother can't relate to this truth. Most of our daily jobs hurt in some way or another, physically, mentally or emotionally. The difficulty lies in how do I respond to the daily grind, with all the hurts, with selflessness. How do I joyfully fulfill the duties of the day, with all the pain involved with an attitude of self-denial, so that I may transmit that Authentic Love.

Is it a smile when I feel like yelling. Is it a hug when I want to push away. Is it a kind word when all I want is silence. Christ's path doesn't make sense in a worldly way. Secularism is a plague. Christ, help us live selflessly and please make it hurt, so it's real Love.
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Anonymous said…
Wow what a gift to have a priest like that. What great words of inspiration. Thanks for sharing. It sure helps you remember why we do the things we do....even when they "hurt"
January 8, 2009 at 6:06 AM
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