Jan

8

Love is in the Air

January 8, 2008 |

After reading today’s first reading (1 John 4:7-10), I started humming that song . . .

“Love is in the air . . . love is all around . . . ”

(Incidentally, it was a 1978 one-hit wonder by John Paul Young - hitting #7 on the U.S. charts).

St. John mentions “love” no less than 10 times in 4 verses.  I think he is trying to tell us something.

But, how often do men think about love - whether it’s for our wives, children, parents, friends, colleagues, our fellow man, God?

We really don’t think about love very often - and when we do it’s usually accompanying thoughts about cars and sports teams.

On my way home last night, I was talking to a friend of mine and asked him when he and his wife were going to start their family.  And, as it turns out, they are trying.

And, it dawned on me when I got home - the true essence of love is in our children - if we recognize it.

I got home late last night - my kids were hugging on me - they each wanted a story and I got to escape into the worlds of rabbits, rainbows and Moses - my little boy told me (unsolicited) “I love you, Daddy”.   We have a problem with the garage door that I needed to look at and my little boy went out with me and insisted he knew how to fix the problem (”Daddy, the door is just tired and needs some rest”).

And I realized - there it is - unconditional love from these incredible little ones who God has given to us.  And their love isn’t just an extension of them - their love is an extension of God’s love for us - it is an extension of my wife’s and my love for each other - it is an extension of our love for God.

That is a lot of love to go around.

I don’t remember life before my children - I can’t imagine life without them.  They are a continuous sign that my life has purpose, and that God trusts me and expects great things from me.  Every moment of every day, I am reminded of his love for me.  It’s the love embodied in my children - it’s the love embodied in the essence of the Christ child who not only brought divine love to Mary and Joseph, but also brought divine love to all of mankind.

So, I do wish children on every married couple - and I especially pray for those trying to have children.  Children are the absolute fulfillment of the marriage covenant.

As St. John puts it in today’s reading - “love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.”

So, let’s remember to look at children (our’s and other families’) for who they are - the essence of God’s love.


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