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When we think of February, we naturally think of Valentine's Day and of love. What is love? The word is grossly overused from recipes to rendezvous. They love chocolate brownies. They made love but it was only “friendship with benefits.”
However, Catholics do not take this word lightly. St. Thomas suggests that true love derives less from emotion and more from decision. Love, according to Aquinas, is willing the good of another. Although his phrase may never appear in a sentimental greeting card, his approach captures the genuine and generous selflessness that should always be assumed when we speak of love.
Recall the 12th chapter of John's Gospel. Jesus is coming to the end of his ministry on earth. He has indicated to his followers that he must suffer and die, like a good shepherd, not only for his own sheep, but also for those in other folds as well. John makes a strong point of the Savior's calling to die for everyone, Jews and Gentiles, when a group of foreigners from Greece arrive on the scene and express their desire to meet Jesus. Rather than approach the Lord directly, they go Philip, possibly because he has a Greek name, and ask him to facilitate their introductions. Philip isn't sure how to handle their request so he asks Andrew's advice and together they inform Jesus. What's striking here is the fact that we never really find out if Jesus granted these visitors an audience or not. Instead, he replies with the definition of love that also defines his reason for coming to earth. Whoever loves his life will lose it. Jesus wills the good of all others to the point of losing his life so that we can be saved.
In the same way, if we try to hang on to love, if we try to grasp love for ourselves, including the love of our own life, then we are doomed to lose everything, loving and living. Only selfless giving, and selfless willing the good of another, can lead to true love and eternal life.
For Holy Homework: Send a Valentine, card or e-mail, to someone who might least expect to receive one from you. Include a prayer that you want God to bless them with something that is for their own good.
Happy Valentine's Day.
