Revolution of Love.com
Living Flame of Love
by Brian
The title "Living Flames of Love" is not a title I invented. I am neither that clever or bright. It comes from the great spiritual classic by St. John of the Cross. These four words beautifully and precisely describe what every Catholic through their Baptism and Confession are meant to be - living flames of love.
Jesus told his disciples "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another." (Jn.13:34) He goes on to say, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (v.35) This is not a suggestion or a good idea that Our Lord is asking us to think about. Rather, it is a mandate.
For my screen saver at work I use a quote from John of the Cross - "God uses nothing else but love." I believe what the saint was trying to say is that whatever we offer to God, it must be encased in love. Otherwise, God cannot use it. Love is the key to moving the Heart of God.
St. Peter writes in his first letter (4:8) that "love covers a multitude of sins." I keep this passage close to my heart. It shows the power of love. It reveals how love is not only something God uses, but is capable of covering our sins. Love triumphs. It conquers evil and washes away sin.
A Christian without love is like a body without a soul. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn. 4:1-26) he spoke to her about the "water" that only He could give. Whoever drinks this water will have a "spring of water welling up to eternal life."
I believe the spring of water Jesus is referring to is another word for "love". This love is not the kind that remains in the well of one's heart, but like a raging river levels everything in its path. Love conquers; it creates and dispels the darkness. The Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection speak of nothing else but love. Just as the Father spoke one word - Jesus - so Jesus speaks one word to us - love.
Since I was very young I heard, a number of people share their thoughts about how God would judge us. Some I agreed with and others I did not. I believe St. John of the Cross beautifully sums this up when he writes, "At the end of life, we will be judged by love." Love will be the standard by which we are measured when we go before the judgment seat of God.
St. Paul teaches in his first letter to the Corinthians (13:13) that between faith, hope and love, the "greatest of these is love." If there is one thing many people in our world today are desperately searching for, it is authentic love. Authentic love gives life, liberates and heals. As ambassadors for Christ, we are called to bring this same love to our neighbor.
In order to bring this love to our neighbor, to share it with him, we ourselves must be filled with it; and the only way we can be filled with it is if you ask for it. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given you." (Mt.7:7) By allowing Jesus to fill us with His love, we can than share it with others, and bear the name - living flame of love.
God bless.