St. John of the Cross and Love

This past week, I read What Pope Francis Really Said by Tom Hoopes. While it brought up many hot button issues, the passages on love, forgiveness, and acceptance are what made me look within myself to understand where I have been failing. I have a hard time accepting that I can fail at success and not be considered a failure, but God is slowly beating me over the head with Christian writers and saints who repeat one thing throughout their work:

Love is the greatest act we can receive and the greatest act we can give.

I have failed at showing love because I let pain overshadow the opportunity for new love. I am built with anger because I don't believe that love will keep me safe. I am expecting hatred to be where love once stood, and God may be ready to strike me with lightning if I don't change my mindset.

Tom Hoopes quoted Pope Francis quoting St. John of the Cross (and with a B.A. in Creative Writing, there is another way to write that without sounding redundant, but I personally like how this particular repetition sounds). Since I'm a convert Catholic, I'm unfamiliar with many common quotes from saints and religious writers, but I'm soaking up the advice as I fast as I can read it. St. John of the Cross said, "In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone."

We will be judged on love alone.

I have not loved like I should. I have not forgiven as I should. I am sorry God, for having offended you through my actions and words to others. I am sorry for hurting them because of a lack of love. Please heal them, my Lord, and please allow me to heal and overcome hurt so that it no longer destroys the love that I can be pouring out to others.

If I am judged on love, I would fail in a way that would break God's heart because He imagines so much more for His children. If I am to be judged on love and forgiveness and mercy and kindness, may I envelope all of these and more so that others no longer see me in my actions, but they see Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Help me, oh Lord. Guide me, oh Father. In the evening of this life, may I only hold love in my heart for my brothers and sisters and joy upon finally seeing you face to face.

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.