Lent and Loving Well by Carlos Londono
Lent is also a time to acknowledge the fact that we not always love, and sometimes when we do love we don’t love well.
All of us received a commandment: “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13: 34-35). So, as Christians we have no excuse: We’ve got to love!
But first, what is love? I propose here one definition given by saint Thomas Aquinas: “to will the good of the other”.
Can I will the good of people I don’t like? Yes. Can I buy a cup of coffee to that co-worker I’d rather not having anything to do with? Yes, you can. It might not be feel pleasant, but certainly you can. So, surprise! Love does not depend solely on feelings! You can love someone even if you don’t feel like it! And as Christians we have to say: actually, you must do so!
What about the people you already love? Well, Lent could also be the time to learn how to love them well. How do I know if I love someone well? Jesus said: “Love one another as I have loved you”. How did he love us? To the end! Find a crucifix and learn to love well, like he did! And as we contemplate the cross we will learn that to love well also hurts and challenge us.
As we begin this time of grace and preparation for the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, let us pause for a moment and think of the many ways we don’t love at all and the many ways in which we are not loving well.
O Most Loving Jesus, teach us to love well!
Comments
hornyatkoTogPosted on 3/22/24
Hello.
Claire WalchliPosted on 6/01/20
Reading Deacon Londoño's homily here, I had an epiphany about love. IL now find it much easier to show love, even if I dont personally like someone. Also, I'll be more mindful of how I can love people dearest to my heart better, that is, in ways they might like and notice better than in the past. Deacon( now Father Carlos Londoño has reached me with words and quotes put rather simply that have impressed my so deeply I am so grateful and blessed by our young man of God.