the search for true love
"By obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves for a genuine love." —1 Peter 1:22
We all want "genuine love," true love, love that will last forever. Yet we all find that what we thought was love often proves not to be the real thing. Human beings are deceived about love probably more than about any other aspect of life.
We can have genuine, true love only in Christ, Who is Love (see 1 Jn 4:16). We are prepared to give true love by being purified, especially in the context of obeying the Lord in being true, that is, faithful to Him and the people He has put into our lives. True love is based on countless true sacrifices, true conversations, true promises, true repentances, true forgivenesses, etc. When we obey the Lord and choose to be true to Him and others no matter what it costs, our lives change. Selfishness, pride, lust, and unforgiveness are removed from our lives. We are purified. After so many acts of truth, we eventually live in a state of true love. We receive without obstacles the constant, deep, true love of the Lord for us, and we let that love flow through us constantly. We live in receiving and giving true love.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit so that I will "do the truth in love" (Eph 4:15, our transl).
Promise: "The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve — to give His life in ransom for the many." —Mk 10:45
Praise: Looking upon a crucifix, George found true love at the foot of the cross and wept tears of joy.
Reference: (In July, we offer two retreats on St. Paul's letters. The retreat studying the Letter to the Ephesians is held on July 6-8, and the retreat studying the Letters to Timothy is held on July 13-15. For information or to register, call 513-373-2397 or 937-587-5464 or visit our website www.presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2017
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.