What does it mean to "love one another"

[Ceil-1]

The Scripture says there is no salvation if we do not have love in our hearts towards all :

“We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. Whoever does not love remains in death.”
(1John 3:14)

Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love
(1John 4:8)

I have been pondering what it means to actually love another, and I have come to realize that I do not love anyone as much as I love myself.

For instance, a friend of mine mentioned how she does not like her daughters’ male friends because she does not trust them, as they do not have a faith life (at least they are not Catholic). She laments her coldness to them because as a representative of Christ, she should be warm and loving towards them. Then, perhaps, they would be attracted to the faith. As it is, they will associate it with her coldness and be turned away.

I knowI do not give of myself the way that I should. When I’m hurt or irritated, I have no problem letting them have it. When it comes to pouring myself out to someone with love or a loving response, work of charity or mercy, the inspiration of which I know is from the Holy Spirit, I rationalize my way out of it.

This lack of love, I am aware, will keep me from entering the pearly gates more than my past sins will, and I am concerned.

Does anyone else struggle with this, and what are your insights?

 

[John_Russell_Jr]

I don’t like lots of people. It’s out of our control who we like all too often. But I try to love all people. Love is an act of the will. It’s desiring what’s best for another. We can be angry at our child and disipline them and still love them. Love is not a warm feeling but an act of the will. The warm feeling can be an effect of love.
Jesus said, " By this will all men know that you are my disciples. By the love you have one for another." When are us catholics going to learn this?

 

[Mini_gerbel]

I don’t like lots of people. It’s out of our control who we like all too often. But I try to love all people. Love is an act of the will. It’s desiring what’s best for another. We can be angry at our child and disipline them and still love them. Love is not a warm feeling but an act of the will. The warm feeling can be an effect of love.
Jesus said, " By this will all men know that you are my disciples. By the love you have one for another." When are us catholics going to learn this?

i remember when i was in 5th and 6th grade i thought i was in love with a person when i never talked to them. i thought i did because i felt a very very warm feeling whenever i see them

 

[Ceil-1]

I believe if you are cold toward someone; you are without love for them. I don’t buy this, you can love someone without the warm fuzzies. I have learned this as a foster mother. If the children don’t have a relationship with you; if they don’t feel loved, no amount of well-intentioned discipline is going to amount to anything.

In my experience as a nurse I have come across people who were like my great-grandmother and great-aunt. These people were saints. They had a quality about them wherein, no matter who you were, you seemed very important to that person. They took an interest in you and drew you into their lives and hearts. They have an other-worldliness about them. They were not cold people. They weren’t all sweet and huggy, either. You just knew they genuinely cared. Jesus was that way when you think about it.

I know many people who say and do the right things. They are
aware that people are watching, and, so, pretend, if you will, out of a sense of duty, that they give a hoot. In reality, though, they couldn’t care less. I know that I have acted that way at times. Now, who are these people fooling? Themselves? We are called to show no partiality, as God does not. But, we do, don’t we?

I have made a resolution to attempt to treat everyone as if they are precious, because I know in the eyes of God they are precious. What is more, I will not choose who to lavish my attention on, but whomever God brings my way. I think we all have room to love more. Don’t you agree?

 

[robert_ambrose]

get the story of the good samaritan, the jews hated them , i believe they still do,the point is that you can still dislike a person, but when you see them in trouble your heart says go help them,you may not be thanked but your action may just stir things up in their own heart.God is love

 

[JRKH]

We all struggle with this…at least to some degree.
It comes under the catagory of “We all fall short of the glory of God.”
Loving others can be a very difficult thing. Sometimes the best we can manage is tolerance. It depends a lot on our station in life. If one is a religious, there are fewer distractions from being able to extend ones self. If one is married, with children, job etc. it becomes more difficult because one has to balance love, trust, time, responsibility etc.

If we are doing our level best, while entreating God to help us do His will, I don’t think the Pearly gates will be locked against us. (or now am I prideful. - that’s another thread)

Peace
James