What is Love?

There is a saying that you can’t define love. The reason for this isn’t that we can’t love, but that we don’t love the way we are supposed to love. There is another saying. “God is love,” so if we want to know what love is, then we must know God.

At that time, the Pharisees came to Jesus and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side. Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “We have no bread.” And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.” And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Mark 8:11 – 21

In this Gospel lesson, Christ offers just a couple examples of His love. The Pharisees hates Him and wanted to kill Him, but still He fed them and thousands in the crowd who would eventually call for His crucifixion. That is love.

According to Holy Tradition, the elderly parents of the Theotokos prayed to God to take away their shame of childlessness. They promised God that if He would grant them a child, they would give it to His service. The Theotokos was born and dedicated to serve God. That is love.

Do you see a theme here? Love is acting in a way where you honor others whether they ‘love you back’ or even hate you. If we want to know what love is, then we must start acting like God. That means, we must begin to love and honor God and others above ourselves. That is love.

Imagine the heartbreak of Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Theotokos. They prayed for years for a child and never had a chance to raise their daughter. Their expression of love for God allowed Him to enter inter humanity through their daughter. That is love.

When love is reciprocated it is easy, to define and to express. Christ says, “What credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” (Luke 6.33) If you want to understand love from God’s point of view, then you must change not only how you love, but who you love.

“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also.”

Luke 6.27-29

It won’t mean not being hated or cheated, or even killed. It will mean that your heart knows love. It will mean your heart will see others with the eyes that God sees them. You will want to ask, “Do you know not yet understand?” God has done so much for us. Why do we still hate Him?

Here’s to another week of prayer and fasting for Christmas, not to be obedient, but to learn to love. As you struggle over menu options and avoiding holiday parties this week, think about love. Think about how your love reflects God’s love. If it doesn’t, then you have more work.