Jesus revealed that the two greatest commandments were about loving God and our neighbor (Mt 22:37-39). Jesus maintained that His mission was to show us the Father's love (Jn 15:9). He commanded us to love even our enemies (Mt 5:44). Jesus said that we would be recognized as His disciples because of our "love for one another" (Jn 13:35). Finally, Jesus laid down His life for us when He died on the cross. "There is no greater love than this" (Jn 15:13).

The first Christians began to understand Jesus' life of love. They came to realize that:

• God the Father "so loved the world that He gave His only Son" (Jn 3:16).
• "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8).
• Without love, we are nothing (1 Cor 13:2).
• "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8).
• Love is greater than even faith or hope (1 Cor 13:13).
• "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Rm 5:5).

Finally, the early Church came to the awesome conclusion that "God is Love, and he who abides in Love abides in God, and God in him" (1 Jn 4:16; see 1 Jn 4:8). Love Love Himself.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002