The Supremacy of Love

I believe the entire New Testament can be summed up in the word "love." "God is love" according to Scripture and God is truth and wisdom and so much more.  Jesus commanded us, "Love one another as I have loved you," and yet so often we fall short of that commandment. So often Catholics as well as others fail to love and yet at other times I'm overwhelmed by the generosity and compassion I see in the world. I guess we are still in the process of growing towards God and God's will for humankind.  

I was fascinated by an AOL article I read titled, "Millionaire is Giving Away His Entire Fortune," by Terence Neilan. Austrian millionaire, Karl Rabeder has decided to give away all his money saying that "My idea is to have nothing left. Absolutely nothing...Money is counterproductive-it prevents happiness to come." He intends to move into a small hut or studio and sell off his homes. The article tells why he's taking such drastic action. He went on a three week vacation with his wife and he had feelings of guilt and a sense that "there was a connection between his wealth and the poverty he saw." He was quoted as saying, "It was the biggest shock of my life when I realized how horrible, soulless and without feeling the five-star lifestyle is." 

He is giving his money to a non-profit organization that offers small loans to needy people in Central and South America to encourage development. He is offering the poor a way out of poverty. Very noble idea and action!  

This is the kind of love that Jesus spoke about. I'm not sure if this man and his wife are religious or spiritual, but they are following one of Jesus' commands literally "to sell everything and give it to the poor, if you would be a disciple."

I'm curious as to his wife's reaction to all this is. I would imagine she is supportive. 

I would like to hear more about this story in the future to learn about the people Mr. and Mrs. Rabeder help, the good that comes from their life-changing decision. 

In the end, it's all about love. As St. John of the Cross said, "In the evening of life you will be judged on how well you have loved." Perhaps the greatest lessons we can learn in this life have to do with love, generosity and compassion.  Happy Valentine's Day! Many blessings to you and an appreciation for God's immense love for you!!

NJA

I am united forever to God whom I have loved with all the strength of my heart. 

St. Therese of Lisieux

Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.  Thomas Aquinas

They do not love, that do not show their love.  

Shakespeare- Two Gentlemen of Verona

On Love

The first Valentine's Day card was sent by Charles, Duke of Orleans in 1415 from the most unlikely of places-the Tower of London. Charles was imprisoned there . He sent a love note to his wife. It is now on display at the British Museum. I was in London this past summer and I visited the Tower of London, quite an experience.  I didn't see the love note that Charles wrote to his wife at the British Museum but I did see the Rosetta Stone, which was fascinating. The stone is made of black basalt. London is a beautiful city, but I can't say I love any city but New York. New York is my favorite city in the world. I'm slightly biased, since I'm a native New Yorker. 

The letter below tells of true love, unconditional love. It's rare, quite beautiful and it is expressed in this letter which tells of love even in the midst of extreme suffering and pain. It expresses the love of a Carmelite nun at the end of a beautiful, selfless life.  It was written on September 30th, 1897 from Mother Agnes of Jesus to M. and Mme. Guerin and Leonie Martin, "Our angel is in heaven. She gave up her last sign at seven o'clock, pressing her crucifix to her heart and saying: "Oh! I love you!" She had just lifted her eyes to heaven; what was she seeing!" The angel Mother Agnes spoke of was her sister, Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Therese is a saint and the youngest doctor of the Church and after suffering terribly at the end of her short life, she only had words of love for Jesus. Unconditional love for God, love without conditions.  (The letter is from St. Therese of Lisieux-her last conversations translated by John Clarke, O.C.D.)

NJA