Language of God’s Love

I remember being a leader on a retreat for high school students. During one of the sessions, one of the guys had to step aside because of he was experiencing a lot of emotions.

He was a young man with a tough exterior so to see him like this was unusual.

I sat with him and told him a few simple words, “You are loved and God loves you and we love you.”

With these simple words, he broke down and began to weep. I asked him why he was weeping at these words and he told me, “No one has ever told me that before.”

I was devastated and felt terrible for the guy. If you were to look at him and his life, he had a lot going for him. Family was well off. He had basic necessities and food on the table. In many ways, love was communicated to him. But in one way, through these words of affirmation, he was deprived of this love.

Many of us can be frustrated in our efforts to love one another. Whether we are aiming to love our siblings, our parents, our children, our spouses, or our friends, our frustration can stem from loving at each other or giving our love in ways that don’t speak love where the other needs it most.

We might be excellent in giving thoughtful gifts, but rarely say anything nice to the person.

We might give all our time and attention to someone and be available to them, but never serve them in ways to lift their burden.

We can tire ourselves in loving each other, in the way they never asked and never wanted.

If someone were to ask you, how do you know God loves you? We would all give a different answer.

Some might say because the Bible tells me so.

Some might say because of what he did for me on the cross.

Some might even respond because of his endless gifts and blessings he gives even though I am most undeserving.

In all cases, God’s love is shown more in his deeds than his words. Jesus reveals this love of God through his action.

He heals strangers, touches the sick, embraces people, speaks truth and forgives.

In our liturgy and sacraments, we can see this, touch this love and taste the love of God.

Sacraments require both word and action. In the Gospel we read how Jesus says there are many people who hear the words of God and then go on to speak great words and say Lord Lord but can still remain far. Why? Because their actions don’t initiate the love.

Bread is broken, water poured, forehead anointed and the words are spoken along with the actions.

God wants to invite us in his way of love.

If we want to be people giving back the love God wants from us:

Let’s look to receive these good words from God and declare to him our great love for our Lord.

Let’s aim to offer Him and those around us our acts of service to put action to the words and commands God has given us to love.

Let’s offer our gifts, talents, and our own blessings back to God as our gift back to Him.

Let’s offer the most valuable thing we have: our time. Without quality time, our relationship cannot be built through prayer.

Finally, let’s come to receive the healing touch of God as he wishes to be physically united with us in the most Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, His very own body blood soul and divinity. Amen.