Love is:

• "the message you heard from the beginning" (1 Jn 3:11),
• the command of God, and a grace of God,
• "based on the truth" (2 Jn 2),
• the way we know we "have passed from death to life" (1 Jn 3:14),
• the way we know "we are committed to the truth" (1 Jn 3:19),
• the way for us to be alive in Christ and not "among the living dead" (1 Jn 3:14),
• the way to eternal life,
• laying down our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters (1 Jn 3:16) and even for our enemies (Mt 5:44),
• to be expressed "in deed and in truth" and not only in words (1 Jn 3:18),
• the motivation of a Christian (2 Cor 5:14),
• the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22),
• the essence of God (1 Jn 4:16),
• stronger than death (see Sg 8:6),
• the result of purification (1 Pt 1:22), and
• forever (see 1 Cor 13:13).

Therefore, let us ask God to grace us to receive Him, Who is Love. Let us repent and receive the Holy Spirit so that He may produce the fruit of love in our lives (Gal 5:22). Let us live in love (1 Jn 4:16; Jn 15:9). Let us have a Christmas, a year, and a life of love.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 3, 2017

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