session 8

yesterday was the last formal session of our CL class. as i read the lesson plan for that session, and as i went around the rooms, i learned a lot of things.

the topic for yesterday was the last of two parts for the Decalogue. it was about loving one another (the other was about loving God above all things).

it was about Love.

that's why it made such an impact on me. it was about loving infinitely and unconditionally.

it was also fitting, coming from Sunday's gospel (did you notice how many times "love" was mentioned during the readings?). it was just about Love.

what about it? what?

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9-11)

I LOVE YOU DESPITE OF YOUR _______.
i learned a lot from this motivational activity.

God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. -St. Augustine

yes, we are all imperfect. we all make mistakes. even if we make all the wrong things in the world, even if our life is such a mess, we are loved. our God loves us. He sends us people who will love us DESPITE of our imperfections. He loves us as we are.

and so we must also learn how to love that way--unconditionally.

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward in heaven will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men." (Luke 6:35)

there are times when we feel that we just can't love. when we feel that it is so hard to give out our love. how can we love someone if they have hurt us badly? how can we give ourselves to people when we know that we would just get hurt? well, i really don't know. i guess it's all part of it. in loving, we do get hurt. it is a reality. we get hurt because we have given a part of ourself to someone (or even to something). but in return if we genuinely love, then we can again be whole. love is not one way. it always involves at least two people. if one gives out his love (his self), then he could be whole if the other person would also give out his love (his self).

but then, where does this Love come from in the first place? how could we love?

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:12-14)

as i said before in my exemplars' essay, the reason why i do service is because i have a lot of "overflow" Love. overflow from where? overflow of God's Love. the Love which i receive from my God. this Love is meant to be shared. i know without His Love, i couldn't give out Love. the Love which i feel everyday. the Love which i feel when i wake up in the morning, when i see the grandeur of His hand. when i see my family. Everything. His Love is everywhere. i am filled with this Love, and always it overflows, and the only thing that i could do is share.

we could respond to His Love by loving others and glorifying Him in everything that we do.