GOD IS LOVEGOD IS LOVE

He who remains in Love remains He who remains in Love remains in God, and God in him (1 Jn 4:16).in God, and God in him (1 Jn 4:16).

Encyclical Letter of Pope Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVIBenedict XVI

• Part 1Part 1: The Love of God is offered to : The Love of God is offered to all human beings, and is related to all human beings, and is related to human love;human love;

• Part 2Part 2: Christians are called to : Christians are called to express this wonderful love to those express this wonderful love to those in need in various ways.in need in various ways.

Part 1:Part 1:Who Is God? Who are We?Who Is God? Who are We?

• Sometimes the Name of God is Sometimes the Name of God is associated with hatred and violence. associated with hatred and violence. But the Bible tells us, “God is Love”, But the Bible tells us, “God is Love”, and that before all things he has and that before all things he has loved us (1 Jn 4:16). But what do we loved us (1 Jn 4:16). But what do we mean when we say “God is Love”? mean when we say “God is Love”? What do we mean by the word What do we mean by the word lovelove? ? (cf. pars. 1-2).(cf. pars. 1-2).

What is “Love”?What is “Love”?

• We use the word ‘love’ We use the word ‘love’ to describe lots of to describe lots of different things: we different things: we feel love for our mum feel love for our mum and dad, our pets, our and dad, our pets, our country, our job.country, our job.

• A special type of love A special type of love is that which exists is that which exists between a man and a between a man and a woman (cf. par. 2).woman (cf. par. 2).

A Question Arises!A Question Arises!

• Are all these different forms of love Are all these different forms of love basically basically oneone? Is ‘love’ one reality ? Is ‘love’ one reality that has lots of different expressions?that has lots of different expressions?

• Or…are we simply using the same Or…are we simply using the same word—’love’—to describe totally word—’love’—to describe totally different realities? (Cf. par. 2).different realities? (Cf. par. 2).

The Answer?The Answer?

• All these types of All these types of love love areare the one the one reality—or at least reality—or at least they can be (Cf. they can be (Cf. par. 8).par. 8).

• Let’s see how……..Let’s see how……..

Eros Eros and and AgapeAgape• In Ancient Greek culture, In Ancient Greek culture,

the word the word eroseros was used was used to describe the to describe the lovelove between a woman and between a woman and man. They thought of it man. They thought of it as something so powerful as something so powerful that it must have come that it must have come from the gods: it was a from the gods: it was a divine ‘madness’ that divine ‘madness’ that caused people to act as if caused people to act as if drunk! Because of this, drunk! Because of this, they also believed that if they also believed that if it was really strong it it was really strong it would draw people closer would draw people closer to the divine (Cf. par. 3-to the divine (Cf. par. 3-4).4).

Eros Eros and and AgapeAgape continued. continued.

• But what if But what if eroseros gets carried away gets carried away with itself? If ‘erotic’ love is our with itself? If ‘erotic’ love is our onlyonly focus, and if it is just an “intoxicated” focus, and if it is just an “intoxicated” love, we can end up de-humanising love, we can end up de-humanising others: in other words, they become others: in other words, they become ‘sex-objects’ rather than persons. ‘sex-objects’ rather than persons. From a Christian perspective, this From a Christian perspective, this actually leads us away from the actually leads us away from the Divine, not closer to it (Cf. par 4-5).Divine, not closer to it (Cf. par 4-5).

ErosEros and and AgapeAgape continued. continued.

• So what is to be done? Well, So what is to be done? Well, eroseros is is good good and and cancan lead to God, but only when it is lead to God, but only when it is disciplineddisciplined and coupled with another type of love: and coupled with another type of love: agapeagape (Cf. par 5; 6)(Cf. par 5; 6)..

• AgapeAgape is another Greek word used many times is another Greek word used many times in the New Testament to describe the in the New Testament to describe the lovelove Christians had for one another and for the poor Christians had for one another and for the poor and needy. It is a special type of ‘spiritual’ love and needy. It is a special type of ‘spiritual’ love ““shaped by faith in Jesus Christ”shaped by faith in Jesus Christ”. It is the type . It is the type of love that of love that Jesus has for usJesus has for us, and the love he , and the love he showed in showed in dying on the cross for us dying on the cross for us (Cf. par 3; 6; (Cf. par 3; 6; 7). 7).

ErosEros and and AgapeAgape together together

• ErosEros, or ‘erotic’ love, can actually , or ‘erotic’ love, can actually lead us to God when lead us to God when agapeagape-love is -love is also at work. also at work.

• What that means is that sexual love What that means is that sexual love between a man and woman can be between a man and woman can be an expression of our faith in Jesus.an expression of our faith in Jesus.

• That’s pretty amazing! But it requires That’s pretty amazing! But it requires discipline and growth (Cf. par 5-7)…discipline and growth (Cf. par 5-7)…

The Progress of LoveThe Progress of Love

• To start with, romantic, erotic love between a couple is full To start with, romantic, erotic love between a couple is full of exciting emotions and feelings, but it begins insecurely.of exciting emotions and feelings, but it begins insecurely.

• When it matures it becomes less selfish and shows care and When it matures it becomes less selfish and shows care and concern for the other. It is willing to sacrifice for the good of concern for the other. It is willing to sacrifice for the good of the beloved. This is where two people really discover each the beloved. This is where two people really discover each other (Cf. par 6). other (Cf. par 6).

The Progress of Love IIThe Progress of Love II

• When this love matures even more, it When this love matures even more, it resembles resembles agapeagape more fully. It becomes more fully. It becomes secure and devoted to secure and devoted to one person aloneone person alone. .

• It also has the promise of lasting It also has the promise of lasting foreverforever. .

• It is a journey through which by giving of It is a journey through which by giving of ourselves more, we discover ourselves, ourselves more, we discover ourselves, the one we love, and God more. So the one we love, and God more. So AgapeAgape and and ErosEros are not opposed to each other are not opposed to each other (Cf. par 6-7). (Cf. par 6-7).

Summary of Part One:Summary of Part One:

• So, to summarise, human love and So, to summarise, human love and the love God has for us are the love God has for us are fundamentally connected. fundamentally connected.

• Because God became a human being Because God became a human being in Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life in Jesus Christ, who sacrificed his life out of love, we can learn how to out of love, we can learn how to humanely love, and meet God in humanely love, and meet God in doing so. doing so.

What Does The Bible Tell Us What Does The Bible Tell Us About God and His Love For About God and His Love For

Us?Us?• The Old Testament The Old Testament

shows us that there shows us that there is only is only oneone God, and God, and that he is the source that he is the source of all creation. of all creation. Having created Having created human beings, God human beings, God also also lovesloves human human beings personally beings personally (Cf. par 9). (Cf. par 9).

What Does The Bible Tell Us What Does The Bible Tell Us About God and His Love For About God and His Love For Us?Us?• A few of the Old Testament Prophets A few of the Old Testament Prophets

actually describe God’s love for his actually describe God’s love for his people Israel in strongly erotic people Israel in strongly erotic images! For example, God is the images! For example, God is the husband and Israel the wife: their husband and Israel the wife: their married life began when God gave married life began when God gave the covenant to Israel (Cf. par 9).the covenant to Israel (Cf. par 9).

What Does The Bible Tell Us What Does The Bible Tell Us About God and His Love For About God and His Love For Us?Us?• God has God has ErosEros for his people, but this for his people, but this

love is also love is also AgapeAgape (Cf. par 9; 10). (Cf. par 9; 10).

• God gave his love freely to his God gave his love freely to his people, they did not earn it. And people, they did not earn it. And when Israel (the wife) “cheated” on when Israel (the wife) “cheated” on God (the husband) by believing in God (the husband) by believing in other gods, God always forgave her. other gods, God always forgave her. This is This is agapeagape (Cf. par 10). (Cf. par 10).

What Does the Bible Tell Us What Does the Bible Tell Us About About Human Beings?Human Beings?

• God created man and woman equally God created man and woman equally and created them for each other. By and created them for each other. By nature they are driven towards nature they are driven towards eroseros and and express this in marriage (Gn 2:23; Cf. express this in marriage (Gn 2:23; Cf. par. 11). par. 11).

• Human beings are raised up and saved Human beings are raised up and saved by Jesus’ death and resurrection. We by Jesus’ death and resurrection. We remember the love Jesus had for us remember the love Jesus had for us when we celebrate the Eucharist when we celebrate the Eucharist together (Cf. par 12, 13-14).together (Cf. par 12, 13-14).

Love of God and Love of Love of God and Love of Neighbour Neighbour

• To love God with our whole soul and our To love God with our whole soul and our neighbour as ourself—this is the great neighbour as ourself—this is the great commandment set by Jesus (Cf. par 1). commandment set by Jesus (Cf. par 1).

• He taught us about love of neighbour in his He taught us about love of neighbour in his parables, especially the Good Samaritan: our parables, especially the Good Samaritan: our neighbour is not just our close friend or sister or neighbour is not just our close friend or sister or brother, but anyone in need (Cf. par 15).brother, but anyone in need (Cf. par 15).

• Jesus himself was in need in his lifetime and he Jesus himself was in need in his lifetime and he identified himself with the poor, sick, hungry and identified himself with the poor, sick, hungry and thirsty. When we serve such people we serve him, thirsty. When we serve such people we serve him, and in serving him, we serve God (Cf. par 15). and in serving him, we serve God (Cf. par 15).

Can Love be Commanded?Can Love be Commanded?

• But hold on—isn’t love a feeling? How can But hold on—isn’t love a feeling? How can we be we be commandedcommanded to love others? (Cf. to love others? (Cf. par 16).par 16).

• Love is not essentially a feeling. Feelings Love is not essentially a feeling. Feelings come and go and the first ‘spark’ of love come and go and the first ‘spark’ of love can’t be reignited. Love is more than can’t be reignited. Love is more than that: it is always growing, and it involves that: it is always growing, and it involves our minds, our choices, and above all, our our minds, our choices, and above all, our acceptance (Cf. par 17). acceptance (Cf. par 17).

AcceptanceAcceptance

• Our acceptance of God’s love Our acceptance of God’s love isis our response to God’s our response to God’s love. Remember that he “loved us first” (1 Jn 4:16). When love. Remember that he “loved us first” (1 Jn 4:16). When we experience his love, love can blossom within us too (Cf. we experience his love, love can blossom within us too (Cf. par 17). par 17).

• So love is really more than a command—although it is that So love is really more than a command—although it is that too—it is a too—it is a responseresponse to God’s to God’s gift gift of love for us (Cf. par 1).of love for us (Cf. par 1).

Part TwoPart Two: The Way The Church : The Way The Church Practices Love In The World.Practices Love In The World.

• We have just seen how God loves us and We have just seen how God loves us and especially how this love is shown for us in especially how this love is shown for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ.

• When we live in relationship with Jesus we are When we live in relationship with Jesus we are called to act as he did; this is the Church’s called to act as he did; this is the Church’s responsibility (cf. par. 20).responsibility (cf. par. 20).

• Love is therefore the Love is therefore the serviceservice that the Church that the Church carries out for those suffering and in need. carries out for those suffering and in need. We call this service of love We call this service of love charity charity (cf. par. (cf. par. 19).19).

Charity In The Early ChurchCharity In The Early Church

• The Acts of the Apostles (2:44-5; 4:32-37) The Acts of the Apostles (2:44-5; 4:32-37) shows the Christian community sharing shows the Christian community sharing possessions and distributing goods to those possessions and distributing goods to those in need (cf. par. 20).in need (cf. par. 20).

• As the Church grew, this radical form of As the Church grew, this radical form of material communion could not remain, but material communion could not remain, but the essential ‘core’ did: namely, the the essential ‘core’ did: namely, the willingness to never let anyone be denied willingness to never let anyone be denied what is needed to live a dignified life (par. what is needed to live a dignified life (par. 20). 20).

Charity As An Essential Part Of Charity As An Essential Part Of the Church’s Ministrythe Church’s Ministry

• As the Church grew and developed, As the Church grew and developed, the exercise of charity became the exercise of charity became established as one of its essential established as one of its essential activities (cf. par. 22).activities (cf. par. 22).

• Other essential activities included Other essential activities included administering the sacraments and administering the sacraments and preaching the gospel (cf. par. 22). preaching the gospel (cf. par. 22).

Saint LawrenceSaint Lawrence

• Saint Lawrence was Saint Lawrence was responsible for the care responsible for the care of the poor in Rome in of the poor in Rome in 258 AD. When his deacon 258 AD. When his deacon friends were being friends were being captured by persecutors, captured by persecutors, Lawrence was given time Lawrence was given time to show to the civil to show to the civil authorities the “Church’s authorities the “Church’s treasure”. He showed treasure”. He showed them the poor and needy them the poor and needy (cf. par. 23). (cf. par. 23).

Charity is the Church’s Charity is the Church’s Nature Nature • ““For the Church, For the Church,

charity is not a kind of charity is not a kind of welfare activity which welfare activity which could equally well be could equally well be left to others, but is a left to others, but is a part of her nature, an part of her nature, an indispensable indispensable expression of her very expression of her very being”. (par. 25a). being”. (par. 25a).

Justice and CharityJustice and Charity

• An important question today is: Do An important question today is: Do the poor need charity or justice? Isn’t the poor need charity or justice? Isn’t almsgiving a way for the rich to almsgiving a way for the rich to soothe their consciences while soothe their consciences while avoiding the hard work of changing avoiding the hard work of changing unjust social structures that keep the unjust social structures that keep the poor people poor and poor people poor and dependentdependent on on charity? (cf. par. 26).charity? (cf. par. 26).

The Relationship Between The Relationship Between Justice and Charity.Justice and Charity.

• While there might be some truth to the last While there might be some truth to the last question, much of it is mistaken (cf. par. 26). question, much of it is mistaken (cf. par. 26).

• It is not the responsibility of the Church to It is not the responsibility of the Church to implement a just social order as such, so implement a just social order as such, so that each person in society has his or her that each person in society has his or her share of the community’s goods. This is the share of the community’s goods. This is the responsibility of the State; justice is the responsibility of the State; justice is the measure and “aim of all politics”. (cf. par. measure and “aim of all politics”. (cf. par. 28a). 28a).

The Role of the Church in The Role of the Church in SocietySociety

• The Church is independent of the State (cf. par. The Church is independent of the State (cf. par. 28a), but in a way is related to it. 28a), but in a way is related to it.

• How can governments be assured if they are How can governments be assured if they are acting justly? Do not power and special interests acting justly? Do not power and special interests “blind” them at times from knowing what is just? “blind” them at times from knowing what is just?

• Well, faith—as an encounter with the living GodWell, faith—as an encounter with the living God—helps —helps purifypurify reason from ‘blind spots’, and this reason from ‘blind spots’, and this is where the Church has a role: it can contribute is where the Church has a role: it can contribute towards an understanding of the requirements towards an understanding of the requirements of justice and how to achieve them politically (cf. of justice and how to achieve them politically (cf. par. 28a).par. 28a).

The Role of the Church in The Role of the Church in Society IISociety II• Without interfering with the State’s role, Without interfering with the State’s role,

the Church can contribute to justice the Church can contribute to justice without remaining on the sidelines. without remaining on the sidelines.

• It can “reawaken spiritual energy” It can “reawaken spiritual energy” amongst people to demonstrate that amongst people to demonstrate that justice demands sacrifice and open-justice demands sacrifice and open-mindedness (par. 28).mindedness (par. 28).

Charity Has a Special Charity Has a Special ImportanceImportance• Just social structures are not the whole Just social structures are not the whole

picture: they cannot picture: they cannot replace almsgivingreplace almsgiving, , since charity essentially is an expression of since charity essentially is an expression of loving personal concernloving personal concern for individuals in for individuals in need (cf. par. 28b). This is what the Church’s need (cf. par. 28b). This is what the Church’s charity organisations attempt to do.charity organisations attempt to do.

• The lay faithful participate in the functioning The lay faithful participate in the functioning of the social order, in it’s economy and of the social order, in it’s economy and culture, and so are called to “configure social culture, and so are called to “configure social life correctly”: charity must animate the life correctly”: charity must animate the “entire lives of the lay faithful” and therefore “entire lives of the lay faithful” and therefore also their political activity. (par. 28b).also their political activity. (par. 28b).

State and Church State and Church Cooperating Cooperating • Mass communication has made our planet Mass communication has made our planet

smaller. We know almost instantly about smaller. We know almost instantly about the needs of others even very far away the needs of others even very far away from us. We are challenged to share their from us. We are challenged to share their difficulties and come to their aid. difficulties and come to their aid.

• We now have numerous modern means at We now have numerous modern means at our disposal to offer humanitarian our disposal to offer humanitarian assistance.assistance.

• State and Church agencies have begun State and Church agencies have begun cooperating because of this new situation cooperating because of this new situation (cf. par. 30).(cf. par. 30).

Young People’s InvolvementYoung People’s Involvement

• Young people today Young people today are increasingly are increasingly involved as volunteers involved as volunteers for charitable agencies for charitable agencies or Church agencies. or Church agencies. This shows an unselfish This shows an unselfish love for others and a love for others and a willingness to “lose willingness to “lose oneself” (cf. Luke oneself” (cf. Luke 17:33) for others (cf. 17:33) for others (cf. par. 30).par. 30).

What Makes Church Charity What Makes Church Charity UniqueUnique

• The Church’s distinctive charitable work The Church’s distinctive charitable work must be free from ideologies. Charitable must be free from ideologies. Charitable acts should not be disregarded just acts should not be disregarded just because they carry with them no agenda because they carry with them no agenda for ‘changing the world’.for ‘changing the world’.

• Rather, we contribute to a better world Rather, we contribute to a better world only by personally doing good here and only by personally doing good here and now wherever we have the opportunity.now wherever we have the opportunity.

• ““The heart sees where love is needed and The heart sees where love is needed and acts accordingly” (par. 31). acts accordingly” (par. 31).

Love Is A WitnessLove Is A Witness

• The Christian practice of charity is not The Christian practice of charity is not a means of foisting religion on others.a means of foisting religion on others.

• A pure and generous love is A pure and generous love is oftentimes the best witness to the oftentimes the best witness to the God in whom we believe.God in whom we believe.

• Sometimes we speak of God, Sometimes we speak of God, sometimes love alone speaks of God. sometimes love alone speaks of God. (par. 31). (par. 31).

Who Performs Charity?Who Performs Charity?

• The Church is God’s family and must The Church is God’s family and must be a place where help is given and be a place where help is given and received. received.

• But Christians must also be prepared But Christians must also be prepared to serve the needy who are outside to serve the needy who are outside the Church’s boundaries (cf. par. 32).the Church’s boundaries (cf. par. 32).

• People at all levels of the Church are People at all levels of the Church are responsible for charitable activity (cf. responsible for charitable activity (cf. par. 32).par. 32).

Giving of OurselvesGiving of Ourselves

• We are required in practicing charity to We are required in practicing charity to always do more than mere activity: “If I always do more than mere activity: “If I give away all that I have…but do not give away all that I have…but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:3).have love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor 13:3).

• Sharing personally and deeply with the Sharing personally and deeply with the sufferings of others is a sharing of sufferings of others is a sharing of ourselves with them, flowing from our ourselves with them, flowing from our own encounter with Christ (par. 34).own encounter with Christ (par. 34).

PrayerPrayer

• We encounter Christ’s We encounter Christ’s love in prayer, and love in prayer, and prayer is essential if prayer is essential if we want to carry his we want to carry his love to the needy. love to the needy. Prayer is not a “waste Prayer is not a “waste of time”, even if of time”, even if situations appear to situations appear to call for action alone call for action alone (par. 36). (par. 36).

All The Great SaintsAll The Great Saints

• St Martin of Tours gave half of his cloak to a poor St Martin of Tours gave half of his cloak to a poor man; then Jesus himself appeared to him that man; then Jesus himself appeared to him that night wearing that cloak. Blessed Teresa of night wearing that cloak. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, St Camillus of Lellis, St Vincent de Paul Calcutta, St Camillus of Lellis, St Vincent de Paul and others are “true bearers of light within history” and others are “true bearers of light within history” and models of social charity (par. 40).and models of social charity (par. 40).

Mary, Mother of the LordMary, Mother of the Lord

• Mary stands out among Mary stands out among all the saints. She all the saints. She served others in true served others in true charity, especially her charity, especially her cousin Elizabeth during cousin Elizabeth during her pregnancy (Luke her pregnancy (Luke 1:56). 1:56).

• She was totally “at She was totally “at home” with the Word of home” with the Word of God: her thoughts were God: her thoughts were one with God’s thoughts, one with God’s thoughts, her will was one with her will was one with God’s will (par. 41). God’s will (par. 41).

Final ReflectionFinal Reflection

• ““Love is possible, and we are able to Love is possible, and we are able to practice it because we are created in practice it because we are created in the image of God. To experience love the image of God. To experience love and in this way to cause the light of and in this way to cause the light of God to enter into the world—this is God to enter into the world—this is the invitation I would like to extend the invitation I would like to extend with the present Encyclical” (par. with the present Encyclical” (par. 39). 39).

By Ruth Sheridan.By Ruth Sheridan.

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