Wherever There is Love: Encountering The Sacred: Everywhere and Everyday

LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

"There is no place for selfishness-and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice." These empowering words of St. John Paul II remind us that life is not in our hands; all the more reason we need God's love every single day.

Several years ago, I was on my way to Southern California to see my family and friends. Cruising along the freeway, I observed that all throughout the journey, there were motorists who were careful and patient, and there were others who were impatiently rude and careless. In coasting through life, our Lord calls us to be patient and careful so that nothing distracts us that would cause us to overlook the love of God for us.

Our Creator encourages us to be his heart that prays incessantly for peace, announcing that the Kingdom is already in and with us. Guided by the wisdom of God, through the practice of faith, hope and love, we can begin to address the many challenges before us. If only we can have the fortitude and courage to act charitably; like many things in life, this is a habit that can be enhanced. The more we do it, the easier it becomes, and the great example of this truth was St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata who lived her life centered on sharing the love of God with others, especially the poor and vulnerable. She said, "It is through love we encounter God."

"What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of humans. That is what love looks like." -- St. Augustine of Hippo