More Than a Feeling
Let your goodness Lord, appear to us, that we, made in your image, may conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imagine your majesty, power, and wonder, nor is it fitting for us to even try. But your mercy reaches from the heavens, through the clouds, to the earth below. You have come to us as a small child, but you have brought us the greatest gift, the gift of your eternal love. Caress us with your tiny hands, embrace us with your tiny arms, and pierce our hearts with your soft, sweet cries. Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux
What a beautiful image that God's mercy breaks through the clouds to us. Jesus was given to us to reveal the love of the Father despite our sinfulness and ungratefulness. We understand that, in reflection of the way Jesus lived His life on earth, love is not easy.
It seems to come naturally when it is easy, but to love as Jesus did requires acts of humility, goodness, and care, even for those who are difficult to love. Jesus loved even those who made enemies of Him, and He died for them.
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 5 44-45
This verse may not be the easiest to accept if you have been deeply hurt by others. If anyone should understand the pain you feel, we can be sure Jesus does. While loving our enemies may not be something we can achieve right away, we can ask for the grace to learn how to do so.
Just like joy, love transcends feelings, requiring us to love despite an unloving response. Building this kind of love is a challenging task, but to be true disciples of Jesus, we must learn to love in this way. We must cultivate a forgiving love—one that brings death to self.
For those of us who want to grow and bear fruit, it is essential to offer this self-gift. God is love (1 John 4:16). The more we reflect this truth in our daily lives, the more we will naturally grow in abundance.
May God’s love overwhelm us this Christmas, and may the fruit of His Spirit intensify in us and be shared with all we encounter in the new year.
