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There are many reflections that we must take the time to execute every day; At this time, however, we will reflect on the importance of love in our Christian walk, based on the word we find in the gospel according to Saint Matthew, chapter 24 verse 13: \”He who endures to the end will be saved.\” This commandment, apparently simple, confronts us with a harsh reality; the fact that in our walk we can lose the route and end up in the wrong place, specifically in hell.
Our society, inundated by evil, alerts us to the danger we face: \”And because evil has multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.\” Love is actually the fuel that moves all the wheels and pendulums of visible and invisible creation. But where should we find a safe refuge from this cooling and loss of love? The answer should be evident: in our families and in our churches. However, the sad reality is that what is least present in today\’s family is love and what is least manifested in today\’s churches is love.
We are not talking about the outside world, where love is an unknown foreigner. In our congregations, where doctrine, prophecy, gifts, ministry and service abound, we should be a living testimony of the love of Christ. However, genuine love between ourselves is in short supply.
How is it possible that in places meant to be the clearest manifestation of divine love, family and church, we are experiencing divisions and enmities between families and congregations? It saddens us to observe that each one is seeking his own and not the other\’s. Each one is pursuing his own good, and the good of others seems to be of little importance.
Hypocrisy has infiltrated our churches. We hate each other as brothers, for one and a million different things, we are fractured and divided, we belong to one of at least forty-five thousand different “Christian” denominations in the world. We consider ourselves enemies only because we do not belong to the same council. Where was the love that Jesus Christ taught us? When did we lose him if we ever knew him?
Let us remember the words of the Lord: \”For you will be hated by all for my name\’s sake.\” These words resonate more strongly than ever in our days. Persecution, misunderstanding and hostility should not surprise us, but in the midst of it all, love must prevail.
Brothers, the challenge is clear: persevere in love until the end. Only those who sincerely love, despite adversity, will be saved. We cannot obey divine commandments if we do not have love. We cannot love God whom we do not see but we love our brother whom we do see. Let us not forget that love is not only a commandment, but also the hallmark that identifies us as disciples of Christ. May divine grace enable us to love each other with a pure and lasting love. In this love, we will find our strength and salvation. Amen.
First John, chapter 3, verses 10 and 11:
In this the children of God are manifested, and the children of the devil: everyone who does not do justice, and who does not love his brother, is not of God. For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: That we love one another.
