What is love?

Matthew 5: 43 - 48

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...

It was Valentine's celebration a couple of days ago. And we read stories of gallant men doing all sorts of deeds to woo their fair ladies. Many of them went to great lengths, both creatively and financially to declare their love. Such love is indeed honorable and a blessing to both giver and recipient. However, Jesus says that even the 'tax collectors' (who in his day were black listed as 'sinners') are capable of extending love to those who reciprocate. It is no big deal, not exactly praiseworthy, when we give love only to those who love us and would do good to us in return.

Jesus' fuller interpretation of the Law (Lev. 19: 17 - 18) about loving neighbors requires us to love our enemies as well. That is to be the distinguishing mark of a Christian. It has been said that "those dear to us can be loved with human love but an enemy can only be loved with divine love".

So, in this world where 'love' is a word that is lightly thrown about and defined in all sorts of self-centered ways, we as Christians should ponder our Lord's definition of love. It will not be easy to love our enemies and pray for them (that is, to desire their good). In fact we could not do it with human willpower alone. It is only possible through the love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Bennan Manning in 'Abba's Child' says that we should define ourselves radically as persons beloved by God. This defines our true identity and constitutes our worth. We need not be defensive for nothing our enemy does (e.g. criticize, abuse, persecute) can take away from us who we truly are. From such a firm foundation we will be able to live a truly compassionate life. The compassion of God in our hearts opens our eyes to see with clarity the unique worth of every other person. We will begin to understand 'where our enemy cries'. Indeed, those who hurt others are often the very ones who are in pain themselves. By loving our enemies and praying for them, they might see for the first time glimpses of the gratuitous love God has for them. And who knows, by God's grace we might be used as instruments of their healing.

Perhaps Valentine's Day should include extending love to our enemies!! But then, those who cash in on the commercialization of this event might not be too pleased - for there would likely be far fewer people who could embrace Jesus' radical way of love.