Are we REALLY capable to Love?

[antmantucan]

This is a question I grappled with a lot when I was in college and trying to understand my faith. I never had anyone I could really discuss it with but thought I’d share this question with this forum to see what transpires.

My reason for asking this question:

The Bible says

“God is Love” (1 John 4:8)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

My Church Teachings and my own PERSONAL understanding of Love is that it comes from God. God is Love. Love God and your Neighbor are the two most important commandments/things to do on Earth. I also understand there are different types of Love described such as Phileo Love and Agape Love.

My question is if we are meant to Love God and our Neighbors, I mean really Love them, the way God loves, wouldn’t that make us perfect? Wouldn’t that make us equal to God since God is Love? With this logic, would it be safe to assume that humans will never be able to REALLY love. We can always strive for it and try and reach that perfect love but we will never REALLY be able to achieve love.

What do you think?

 

[tonyrey]

Welcome to the forum!

Jesus told us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect in the context of telling us to love our enemies. We obviously cannot be as perfect as God but we can emulate Him** to the best of our ability**. For us that constitutes perfection. We cannot do what is impossible but we don’t know in advance what it is impossible when we have God’s help.

 

[valentino]

We are only capable of (true) love when we love God.Even in a good marriage we can only love the other person if we love God understand or believe that it is God’s will that we are married to that person.if we doubt that we were really joined by God than we are unable to truelly love our spouse.Everything humans do have to truelly believe that it is God’s will in that which they are doing.

 

[antmantucan]

So a simple response is NO?

To complicate the thought a little more.

If “God is Love”, then does that mean that we as Catholics should be as defensive about protecting Gods name in vain.

For example, when someone says “God damn” when they are surprised that is taking Gods name in vain right? I see people get defensive about the use of Gods name and say don’t use the word God like that.

However, when people say they “Love” ice cream or “Love” a song or even “Love” a boyfriend or girlfriend when young, does that mean they are using the word “Love” in vain?

I get defensive when people use “Love” inappropriately just want to see if it is justified.

 

[valentino]

So a simple response is NO?

To complicate the thought a little more.

If “God is Love”, then does that mean that we as Catholics should be as defensive about protecting Gods name in vain.

For example, when someone says “God damn” when they are surprised that is taking Gods name in vain right? I see people get defensive about the use of Gods name and say don’t use the word God like that.

However, when people say they “Love” ice cream or “Love” a song or even “Love” a boyfriend or girlfriend when young, does that mean they are using the word “Love” in vain?

I get defensive when people use “Love” inappropriately just want to see if it is justified.

To the early Jews God’s name could only be spoken by priests.that’s how much they reverenced the Name.People today feel no guilt in using God’s name in vain.But God never changed the rules.The commandment"Thou shalt not take the name of thy God in vain"is just as valid as it was centuries ago.Its mortal and shows irreverrance to God.When a child says i love ice cream its just a figure of speech.Everyone knows ice cream is not worthy of love.What would you do to get a bowl of ice cream?Love has to be reciprical.Can this ice cream love you in return?Its just an overemphasis to say I love ice cream.Its not really in vain.

 

[fhansen]

This is a question I grappled with a lot when I was in college and trying to understand my faith. I never had anyone I could really discuss it with but thought I’d share this question with this forum to see what transpires.

My reason for asking this question:

The Bible says

“God is Love” (1 John 4:8)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

My Church Teachings and my own PERSONAL understanding of Love is that it comes from God. God is Love. Love God and your Neighbor are the two most important commandments/things to do on Earth. I also understand there are different types of Love described such as Phileo Love and Agape Love.

My question is if we are meant to Love God and our Neighbors, I mean really Love them, the way God loves, wouldn’t that make us perfect? Wouldn’t that make us equal to God since God is Love? With this logic, would it be safe to assume that humans will never be able to REALLY love. We can always strive for it and try and reach that perfect love but we will never REALLY be able to achieve love.

What do you think?

Gods purpose is to make us like Him-to create other “gods”-at least to the extent possible. When we love as He intends, fulfilling the greatest commandments, then we are made fully just. This is impossible without His grace-without Him, which is exactly who man distanced himself from at the fall, which explains the relative lack of love here on earth.

 

[JohnJFarren]

YOU ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU
Warm Greetings antmantucan –
You posed the following question > “If we are meant to love God and our neighbors – I mean really love them – the way God Loves … wouldnt that make us perfect? … wouldn’t that make us equal to God? …”

It would be incomplete to answer either no … or yes … and simply stop there.

Rather, I propose an answer more in the mode of Thomas Aquinas. I think he would say, “No and yes.”

No. In an absolute sense we creatures can never be equal to God. For all eternity we shall be creatures. And we can never love God and neighbor in a creating manner.

But equally and even more important, YES, by the Power given Jesus Christ … of whom we are living members and sharers in the Life Activity of the Holy Trinity – by GIFT – yes, we can in Jesus Christ Love God as God Loves GodSelf. And in this understanding … by God’s GIFT … we can offer back to God in Jesus Christ WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US IN HIS LOVE FOR US – GOD HIMSELF.

St John of the Cross in his Spiritual Canticle treats of this matter … and far better than I can here.

Rejoice, you son of God! Your inheritance is from God.

We must remind ourselves, though, as Paul tells us, we must have our share in the death of Jesus if we would have a share in his Resurrection.
John (JohnJFarren) Trinity5635@aol.com