| "This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true." John 21:24 |
| "The Post and Courier" February 5, 2006 "Look to Gospel for Meaning of Love" By Jeffrey Kirby |
In the modern world, we speak of love in relation to a significant other, our parents or siblings, children and friends, but also in reference
to a favorite class, food or movie.
But what do we mean by love? And what are we to do when the way we love someone or something is in conflict with the truths of our
faith?
These seem to be pressing questions for the modern Christian and the world around him.
The struggle for answers doesn’t only exist in abstract doctrinal debate, but truly lies at the very heart of the lived experience of Christian
believers. Recently, a contribution to this search for answers came from an unexpected source.
Pope Benedict XVI recently issued his first encyclical. Titled, “God is Love,” from 1 John 3, the papal letter seeks to address the Christian
understanding of love. An encyclical is one way for a pope to teach regarding current issues facing the church and the world.
A pope’s first encyclical is important because it indicates the principal themes and issues of his pontificate.
The pope asserts that love is an often used and misused word. The meaning and intention seem almost confused.
He diverts emphasis to the proper role of love, which is to self-donate oneself to another while desiring the authentic good of the one who
is loved. The pope indicates that at times, love can be manipulated and made to serve selfish ends. This is an offense to love and to the
dignity of each person.
Pope Benedict gives the Christian concept of the human person, made of both a body and soul. He writes that both must be involved in the
act of loving another person. If the body or soul is overly stressed, such as in lust, then the ordered expression of love is lost. Contrary to
the “intoxication” of passion, the person who loves and is loved is called to serve the other and to desire only truly good things for them
and their benefit.
The pope teaches that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of love. In seeing his love for humanity, especially in the cross, we begin to
comprehend the meaning of love. As Christian believers, we see the perfection of love there and the beginning of answers to our own
questions and struggles with love.
In the second major part of the encyclical, the pope emphasizes that love must be seen in action. The works of love especially should be
seen toward the poor and marginalized. The pope stresses that these exercises are not an optional part of the Christian life. This lesson
recently was emphasized by Robert Baker, the local Catholic bishop, in his book, “Lord, When Did We See You?”
While choosing the topic of love might strike some people as a simplistic beginning to his pontificate, Pope Benedict’s decision to elaborate
on love demonstrates his keen awareness and desire to summon all people back to the heart of the Gospel message.
Many of the church’s positions, especially in the realm of morality or pastoral practice, often can be misunderstood or badly taught. The
proper starting point, and real center of struggle for the person, often is neglected or taken for granted.
Pope Benedict has decided not to take this essential lesson for granted and has sought to present as best as possible the Gospel’s
explanation of love.
As we quickly approach St. Valentine’s Day, with its festivities of affection, perhaps it’s worth considering the pope’s contribution to the
more stressing questions about love.
It’s a discernment worthy of our time, toleration and energy because the answers we choose to our questions will determine not only what
we believe, but the way we will live and relate to others.
Jeff Kirby, is a seminarian of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He can be
reached at jkirby@pnac.org.
to a favorite class, food or movie.
But what do we mean by love? And what are we to do when the way we love someone or something is in conflict with the truths of our
faith?
These seem to be pressing questions for the modern Christian and the world around him.
The struggle for answers doesn’t only exist in abstract doctrinal debate, but truly lies at the very heart of the lived experience of Christian
believers. Recently, a contribution to this search for answers came from an unexpected source.
Pope Benedict XVI recently issued his first encyclical. Titled, “God is Love,” from 1 John 3, the papal letter seeks to address the Christian
understanding of love. An encyclical is one way for a pope to teach regarding current issues facing the church and the world.
A pope’s first encyclical is important because it indicates the principal themes and issues of his pontificate.
The pope asserts that love is an often used and misused word. The meaning and intention seem almost confused.
He diverts emphasis to the proper role of love, which is to self-donate oneself to another while desiring the authentic good of the one who
is loved. The pope indicates that at times, love can be manipulated and made to serve selfish ends. This is an offense to love and to the
dignity of each person.
Pope Benedict gives the Christian concept of the human person, made of both a body and soul. He writes that both must be involved in the
act of loving another person. If the body or soul is overly stressed, such as in lust, then the ordered expression of love is lost. Contrary to
the “intoxication” of passion, the person who loves and is loved is called to serve the other and to desire only truly good things for them
and their benefit.
The pope teaches that Jesus Christ is the perfect example of love. In seeing his love for humanity, especially in the cross, we begin to
comprehend the meaning of love. As Christian believers, we see the perfection of love there and the beginning of answers to our own
questions and struggles with love.
In the second major part of the encyclical, the pope emphasizes that love must be seen in action. The works of love especially should be
seen toward the poor and marginalized. The pope stresses that these exercises are not an optional part of the Christian life. This lesson
recently was emphasized by Robert Baker, the local Catholic bishop, in his book, “Lord, When Did We See You?”
While choosing the topic of love might strike some people as a simplistic beginning to his pontificate, Pope Benedict’s decision to elaborate
on love demonstrates his keen awareness and desire to summon all people back to the heart of the Gospel message.
Many of the church’s positions, especially in the realm of morality or pastoral practice, often can be misunderstood or badly taught. The
proper starting point, and real center of struggle for the person, often is neglected or taken for granted.
Pope Benedict has decided not to take this essential lesson for granted and has sought to present as best as possible the Gospel’s
explanation of love.
As we quickly approach St. Valentine’s Day, with its festivities of affection, perhaps it’s worth considering the pope’s contribution to the
more stressing questions about love.
It’s a discernment worthy of our time, toleration and energy because the answers we choose to our questions will determine not only what
we believe, but the way we will live and relate to others.
Jeff Kirby, is a seminarian of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston studying at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He can be
reached at jkirby@pnac.org.