"God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (1 Jn 4:16). "God's love was revealed in our midst in this way: He sent His only Son to the world that we might have life through Him. Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God but that He has loved us and has sent His Son as an Offering for our sins" (1 Jn 4:9-10). "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" (Rm 5:5).

After beginning to receive God's love, "we, for our part, love because He first loved us" (1 Jn 4:19). We love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our strength (Dt 6:5). We love ourselves, our neighbors (Mk 12:31), and even, in a special way, our enemies (Mt 5:44). We live in God's love (Jn 15:9).

After receiving and giving so much love, we receive even more love. "Thus you will be able to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God Himself" (Eph 3:18-19). "Of His fullness we have all had a share" — grace upon grace, "love following upon love" (Jn 1:16).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 18, 2015

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