Love it was...

Love it was that made us and it was love that saved us
Love was God's plan when He made man God's divine nature is love
Born of God's love we must love Him
That's why He made us to love Him
But only when we love all men can we partake of God's love (2)
Love is a wonderful thing joy in hearts it will bring
where there is love there is God and where there is God there is love
Christ said love must be the sign
By which men will know You for mine
A new commandment to You I give
Each other love as I did.

All that Jesus accomplished during His earthly life is because of God’s infinite love for man. God is love and man, being created in His image should reflect that divine love. Love unites and secures everything and when all else dissipates; only love will truly remain. But it is love that is so regretfully lacking in our times especially in our church. Consciousness, if there is any left has desensitize our spiritual needs leading to “spiritual paralysis”. Hatred, misconceptions and prejudices have impeded the revelation of love between people, probably more so among the clergy.

Pastors who have faith and hope but no love are but nothing. Even if they faithfully perform all pastoral responsibilities, serve long vigils, pray day and night, keep fasts and observe days of obligation… alas, without love but somewhat embracing hatred, resentment, pride, egotism etc, their efforts are for nothing. They may even profess to the one true faith, the Nicene Creed but if love is lacking, any efforts to propagate that faith sound like the ravings of fanatics and perhaps psychotic as well. Love does not openly flaunt itself in the church, shopping mall, offices as does vice. Love is recognized only by the fruit it bears. It is reveal in patience and tolerance towards others. Love cannot be deceived for it is from within and it is certainly not hypocritical.

Jesus tells us, "Freely you have received, freely give." All of us have received love freely and abundantly from God. Real, unconditional, faithful love! But did we freely give? If we are willing to love others only when it will be given back to us, what merit is there? If we are willing to love others only when they treat us well, we are not capable of loving unconditionally. In fact, if love is conditional, it is not love at all! Worst still is when one’s excessive love for self suppresses the love for others.

The church is more than any building or a piece of property. The church is more than just preaching and sacraments. The church is more than traditions and hierarchy. Essentially at its core, the church is about love. If love is lacking, the church is lacking. If love is not the heart of the church, then it is not a church per se. It is just a building with its entire fake beautiful liturgy because if Christians proclaim a gospel that they don’t bother to live out, if they do not show any more love than the rest of society, then why should anyone bother to take the church or the clergy seriously? I wonder when will be the time for the church to give love freely and fulfill the law of Christ…. maybe until the cow comes home! Sigh…………