Holiness does not come easily. It is not something that we can obtain by wishing for, or reading a book. It is received when we are able to empty ourselves of all selfishness. It happens when our hearts resemble the Heart of Jesus – His Sacred Heart!
We are in great need of a heart transformation. Our good God calls us to love as He does and that is very difficult for us to accomplish -- day in and day out. There are many circumstances when we see it as impossible; our love is wanting.
We have been wounded deeply by our own sins and the sins of others. We try to fulfill this commandment, and usually fail in our attempts. There are even times we do not want to try because we’ve been hurt deeply by another.
Never the less, Jesus is telling us: “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another” (Jn. 15 vs. 33b-34). “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Mt. 5 vs. 44-45).
Acting as true Children of God means loving at all times – especially when we don’t want to. Leave self-pity behind. Love is not a feeling. It is in the will. Getting up in the middle of the night with an infant, few are filled with feelings of love. We push past our feelings of exhaustion, go to our baby and do what we must. This is truly loving!
Loving in this manner is the way we are loved by God. We have done nothing to earn His love, in fact, “God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rm. 5 vs. 8). We are called to die to our selfishness – each day and in every circumstance. This behavior does not come natural to us and in the culture we live, it is seen as ludicrous!
However, God would not command us to do something which we are incapable of doing. He sent His Son Jesus to show us how to love, and Christ has left us His Church with His Sacraments. The graces from the Sacraments transmit the life of God into us. This enables us to get beyond our own feelings and pain, and love as He does. When we are able to move past our feelings and pain, God often begins to transform our hearts and heal us.
Do not be afraid. With God’s grace and assistance, this is possible. It is a road, not only to holiness, but to true peace and freedom. You can live this freedom. God is with you! He wants this for you. Accept the grace. Accept the gift!
How many times do I feel so close, just to slip again and again Avia Joy! How fortunate we are to have a Father who loves us unconditionally!
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