Everywhere I turn there are beautiful Valentine Decorations. And everything I have been reading is quoting or talking about Love, from the Pope to Vincent Van Gogh to David Benner. Having experienced some ministry At Northwestern in Chicago I receive notes from their Campus Ministry office and it was there that I read this quote from David Benner’s book “The Gift of Being Yourself”. Allow me to share it with you.
“Christians affirm a foundation of identity that is absolutely unique in the marketplace of spiritualities. Whether we realize it or not, our being is grounded in God’s love. The generative love of God was our origin. The embracing love of God sustains our existence. The inextinguishable love of God is the only hope for our fulfillment. Love is our identity and our calling, for we are children of Love. Created from love, of love, and for love, our existence makes no sense apart from Divine love.”
Today, in February of 2025, I find this quote to be an enormously powerful Statement. I could be wrong, but I think people are searching for love in all the wrong places. (Wasn’t there a song with that title?) To love is to be vulnerable, it is the opening of your heart. It is not secure, and real love is risky! To be secure in today’s world one would need to remain behind the walls of a closed heart. The risk comes when we dare to move from behind the wall. Risky business!
Going back to Benner’s quote, do we genuinely believe, “our being is grounded in God’s love?” I seriously believe that although we may know many things in our head, it is hard to travel from the head down to the heart, where the action takes place. It would be a wise use of time if we all looked at our understanding of what love is. Do I truly love myself, my God, and my neighbor? We were created to love and be loved. How can we help bring more love into a world so in need of it? May you celebrate love with all the joy and wonder God created you with!
Till next week,
Sister Theresita
Happy Valentine’s Day
