In France “un crime passionel” is a mitigating factor which diminishes a person’s responsibility. In the US it is referred to as “temporary insanity”. In both cases passion is not a virtue but a defect. Passions are generally regarded with suspicion because they are often irrational.
Yet love is certainly not irrational nor is it the result of cold logic. It is an expression of the entire personality which is both rational and emotional because it unites us to others. Our love makes us lovable and inspires others to love us if they are not full of self-love. Our “appetite” is our capacity for love which is derived directly from our Father’s love in heaven and reflected in Jesus’s love for us on earth.
Without love life is worthless because love is our raison d’être.** Love is the reason why we are alive. All moral judgments are determined by the degree of love - or lack love - that is revealed in our attitude and behaviour towards others and towards ourselves. That is why God is Love because love encompasses every positive aspect of our existence. Only love gives our life its true value, purpose and meaning. It is the Summum Bonum, the Alpha and Omega of all Creation, the Source of all perfection.
