Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

" Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD.  How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings" (Psalm 36:5-7)

 

“Don't be afraid. Am I judge instead of God? It is not my place. Even though you intended to harm me, God intended it only for good, and through me, He preserved the lives of countless people, as He is still doing today. So don't worry. I will provide for you myself – for you and your children. So Joseph reassured them and continued to speak kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:19-21)

Joseph had this immense capacity to love. As a young boy, he was concerned about his significance and his position. He used to tattle on his brothers and give a “bad report” so he would look better than them. He loved this place of being the father's favorite and getting special treatment at the expense of his brothers. It also seemed that he loved the idea of being in power and was quick to share his dreams about this with his brothers in his naivety.

God took this young man who was so focused on himself and knocked him off center by allowing pain and difficulty in his life. As Joseph grew in his relationship with God in the difficult places of his life and disappointments, God expanded his capacity to love. Once a boy self centered became a man who was concerned for others over himself and full of mercy.

Moses was another person who carried this immense love for others. Moses pleaded over and over before God for the Israelites as he led them out of oppression. Moses continually laid down his life to serve the people and help them gain their freedom and deepen their relationship with God.

God had waited 40 years of Moses tending sheep before calling him. Moses had to first grow and deepen in his relationship with God to be in a place to carry in his heart the people of Israel.

God is love. We can let go of all the religious stuff - working really hard at not sinning and/or getting it all right. God throws His robe of righteousness over us and His blood covers everything.   It is all about love. And we only grow in love as we spend time with the one who is love.

Mother Theresa writes, “Without asking God for love, we cannot possess love and still less are we able to give it to others. Just as people today are speaking so much about the poor but they do not know or talk to the poor, we too cannot talk so much about prayer and yet not know how to pray.”

God transforms us by not only showering this immense love on us but also by growing our capacity to love others so we look more and more like Him. All the Apostles were known for their sacrificial love. They sacrificially gave their lives and were martyred so that others could know the Peace in Christ.

John the Baptist is another example. As he was facing his death, he needed to be comforted with knowing that God really came and was bringing about His justice. Jesus told John's disciples when John sent them to seek out Jesus and confirm He was the One, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Luke 11:4-5)

John could have been offended that after being so faithful that his life was ending short with his head cut off. But this would have been thinking of himself. I imagine he was smiling ear to ear as he went up to be executed with those words Jesus spoke to his disciples still ringing in his heart.

Lord, Your love and Your mercy is beyond measure. Grow our hearts and capacity to love like You love.