If we have not love, we are nothing (1 Cor 13:2). If we have not love, our best efforts are useless (1 Cor 13:3). "The man without love has known nothing of God, for God is Love" (1 Jn 4:8). "The man who does not love is among the living dead" (1 Jn 3:14). Life without love is death. We must have love.

However, it is humanly impossible for us to truly love. It seems that we are able to love some people almost naturally. However, without divine intervention, either this is not true love or God is helping us love without us knowing it. To love is divine. Even the various expressions of love are divine. For example, "to err is human, to forgive is divine."

To love, we must realize the necessity of love and its impossibility by human powers. Then we will ask the Lord to give us the miracle of love. He will do this by loving us first (1 Jn 4:19) and purifying us through obedience to the truth (1 Pt 1:22). Love is the fruit of a great, multi-faceted work of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). He graces us with faith, virtue, discernment, self-control, perseverance, piety, care for our brothers and sisters, and finally love (2 Pt 1:5-7). Love is a miracle resulting from a series of miracles. To act from a heart of love, that is, charity, is also a miracle. To love is divine.

Ask God for love several times a day. He is the only Source of love, for He is Love (1 Jn 4:16).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015

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