(no subject)
Kate Siegel
Ms. Kaylor
Sex and Marriage, 6
20th September 2006
Agape
Abraham felt God’s love for his people once he confided in him. “Abraham's heart is attuned to his Lord's compassion for men and he dares to intercede for them with bold confidence.” God loves everyone unconditionally so he gives them confidence through his love. When a person shows unconditional love for another, they gain confidence in themselves and what they can accomplish (2571, C.C.C).
Christ shows compassion and love for those who are sick and have problems. He does not judge them but instead asks them to love him as he loves them. He relates himself to their suffering, especially when he is on the cross. Mother Teresa is a perfect example of someone who loved those who were sick and could help them through God’s love (1503, 1504, 1505 C.C.C.).
Jesus loved the father in heaven unconditionally no matter the hardships he suffered during his life. He used the love that God showed him and passed it along to the humans. “Love with which the divine Redeemer continually loves the eternal Father and all human beings without exception.” This happens when a person can pass on the love they receive from someone else and use it for the good of others around her (478, C.C.C).
Christ died for the people, even though they were the ones persecuting him. This made them the enemy. By doing this Christ is asking us to love our enemies and not let earthly problems get in the way of God’s love for his people. “The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself.” When a person agrees to be a foster parent, they are saying that they agree to love the child no matter how terrible the child has been before. Through this love they give, the child may benefit and become a stronger, better person (1825, C.C.C.)
Christ died for our sins, teaching humans that he forgives us for our wrong doings and loves us anyway. The Lord keeps his heart open to all who seek him, no matter their history. In a homeless shelter a similar idea is used, allowing all those who seek to become better people to use the facility. Many only allow people who are actively looking for, or have a job, no matter what struggles they have endured (545 C.C.C.).
At the end of the Sheep Parable, it is made known that God does not wish any of his people to suffer. He loves everyone equally. "There is not, never has been, and never will be a single human being for whom Christ did not suffer." Even though God gave people unconditional love, he also gave the people free will. This allows people to choose what they want to do in their lives. This is an example of how unconditional love is meant to let the person benefit. It would not be helpful if everyone was forced to find the Lord in their life, but instead they learn by seeking him out themselves (605 C.C.C.)
Through his divine name ‘I AM’, God expresses his undying love for everyone. “Despite the faithlessness of men's sin and the punishment it deserves, he keeps "steadfast love for thousands".” By giving his son up he showed the people that he is full of mercy and love. Once a person truly and unconditionally loves another, they can realize that they are. (221 C.C.C)
In the beatitudes the Lord reveals that he has love for everyone in his heart, not just those rich in wealth and happiness. He calls to his people so that they will work to help those in need. By what means they got in the situation does not matter, it is simply their heart that is important. It is important to share one’s wealth to those less fortunate. The wealth does not need to be money, but could also pertain to time, energy, love and patience. (2444 C.C.C)
Just as God is willing to forgive us for our sins, we as humans should forgive those who do wrong against us. By letting our grudges go, we are proving God’s unconditional love for his people. The love we show others comes from the Lord always loving his children. By not judging those who do wrong, we can prove to them that Jesus loves them unconditionally, just as we do. (2447 C.C.C)
God encompasses all that is unconditional love, as John teachers. "God is love" and he forever loves his children with a full and open heart. He can accept everyone for who they are if they have love in their hearts for him. "God is light and in him there is no darkness." This is showing that God’s love does not discriminate and if you can find him in your heart, he will always be there for you. God will not reject one who prays to him. (214 C.C.C)
When God created man and woman in his image, he was proving his unconditional love. He put pieces of himself in both gender. By giving up a part of him, he intern placed the responsibility of his unconditional compassion upon his children. As humans we are told to love one another because of this love we seen in God. If a man can fully love those around him, he is doing just what God wanted and expected. (2331 C.C.C.)
Every man and woman should except their sexuality and respect others. They should realize that the differences are oriented to be complimentary to each other in the interest of marriage. Marriage is a bond in which both people decide that they will love one another despite the differences and problems that may face them. In the vow of marriage the two people are saying that they will forever unconditionally love the other, not judge them, and mutually support one another. This is the ideal setting for a child to be brought up and taught this love that Christ showed humans. (2333 C.C.C)
When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus responds “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the prophets." What Jesus is saying here is that it is right to love the lord as he loves you. He is also implying that no one would judge themselves or wish evil upon themselves, so why should they do it to a neighbor? When someone is cruel to another they are rejecting God’s unconditional love, but when they are accepting then they are doing the Lord’s will. (2055 C.C.C)