Fr. Kevin's Cluttered Desk
Sunday, May 19, 2019
The Greek language distinguishes at least four different ways as to how the word love is used. Ancient Greek has four distinct words for love: agape: this was love for everyone, a form of selfless love; éros: sexual passion named after the Greek god of fertility, eros was viewed as a dangerous, fiery, and irrational form of love that could take hold of you and possess you; philia: the love found in friendship was about showing loyalty to your friends, sacrificing for them, as well as sharing your emotions with them; and storgē: the love between parent and child. Other forms of love the Greeks were known to acknowledge were ludus: when we sit around in a bar bantering and laughing with friends, or when we go out dancing, pragma: a mature, realistic love that is commonly found amongst long-established couples, and finally philautia: self-love. Clever Greeks such as Aristotle realized there were two types of self-love. One was an unhealthy variety associated with narcissism where you became self-obsessed and focused on personal fame and fortune. The other, healthier version, enhanced your wider capacity to love. However, as often happens with translation from other languages, it has been difficult to separate the meanings of these words when used outside their respective contexts.
When looking at the command of Jesus to love one another, it is important to look back at history and see what the word meant for Jesus and what he was calling us to. In the Gospel of John Chapter 13, Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.” Shortly after this Jesus is put to death for us, to save us and grant us eternal life. When we consume the Body and Blood of Jesus we enter into his call to love, we unite ourselves more firmly to Christ and thus can live out this calling of love. Each and every time we celebrate a Sacrament, such as the Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Sick, or Reconciliation, we enhance the Divine within us so that we might love in the manner Jesus did.
As this is a holiday weekend maybe take some time to reflect on your love relationships and ask yourself what is the love you have for the people in your life? When you use the word love is it the best choice of words, or is there a different word that should be used?
When we look at the words used by the Greeks the one thing that comes forward for me is that the words are only used to express relationship between humans and about ourselves. It is in the relationship that we find the strength of the word “love”.
It’s the May long weekend. There is probably snow on the ground or rain falling from the skies, God’s gift to us to get us to be more reflective.
Peace Fr. Kevin
When looking at the command of Jesus to love one another, it is important to look back at history and see what the word meant for Jesus and what he was calling us to. In the Gospel of John Chapter 13, Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.” Shortly after this Jesus is put to death for us, to save us and grant us eternal life. When we consume the Body and Blood of Jesus we enter into his call to love, we unite ourselves more firmly to Christ and thus can live out this calling of love. Each and every time we celebrate a Sacrament, such as the Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Sick, or Reconciliation, we enhance the Divine within us so that we might love in the manner Jesus did.
As this is a holiday weekend maybe take some time to reflect on your love relationships and ask yourself what is the love you have for the people in your life? When you use the word love is it the best choice of words, or is there a different word that should be used?
When we look at the words used by the Greeks the one thing that comes forward for me is that the words are only used to express relationship between humans and about ourselves. It is in the relationship that we find the strength of the word “love”.
It’s the May long weekend. There is probably snow on the ground or rain falling from the skies, God’s gift to us to get us to be more reflective.
Peace Fr. Kevin
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