Willing The Good of Our Neighbor

Daily Gospel Reflection 1/5/2023

The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so, we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If someone who has worldly means sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion, how can the love of God remain in him? (1 John 3:16-17)

St. Thomas Aquinas described love as "willing the good of another." I will never forget reading his definition of love years ago. I was eating breakfast alone at a restaurant in Toluca Lake, California, and a light in my mind slowly started to spark. Although Aquinas' definition lacks the romanticism that we often associate with love, it much more fully encompasses and expresses what love is in its fullness.{1} Aquinas' definition taught me that seeking what is best for a person means looking outside of ourselves and putting our interests aside. Today's Gospel reflection harkens back to the commandments, which again teach us that love for God and neighbor go hand in hand. Here Pope Paul VI enriches this understanding in GAUDIUM ET SPES #24, where he writes:

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For this reason, love for God and neighbor is the first and greatest commandment. Sacred Scripture, however, teaches us that the love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbor: "If there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.... Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the Law" (Rom. 13:9-10; cf. 1 John 4:20). To men growing daily more dependent on one another, and to a world becoming more unified every day, this truth proves to be of paramount importance.

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In his book The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis popularized the four Greek words for love: eros, storgos, philia, and agape. For today's reflection, I will focus on agape, a type of love directed towards another in which one seeks nothing back in return. The Latin equivalent of agape is "Caritas," which translates to "charity." Charity, in this sense, is not about giving money or gifts to the poor but, as the Catholic Catechism explains, is a virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.{2} While we may certainly understand these definitions, how do we love the person that mistreats us? Or the family member or possibly spouse that may manipulate for their self-interest? In remembrance of Pope Benedict XVI, who passed last week, I believe he addresses this topic profoundly when he writes, "If the love of God has planted deep roots in a person, then he is able to love even those who do not deserve it, as does God toward us." 

Although this may be a challenge for many of us, I am convinced Pope Benedict XVI is One Hundred Percent Correct. Let's not forget a Christian's biggest goal should be leading others toward a relationship with God and, ultimately........... Heaven.

As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. (John 15:9,12)

Reference:

1. https://www.sluh.org/prep-news/p/~board/prep-news/post/commentary-what-is-love#:~:text=The%20great%20Catholic%20theologian%20and,love%20is%20in%20its%20fullness.

2.  Catholic Catechism#1822