By Candace Adams
The month of February is typically associated with love. As Franciscans, we are to view every day as an opportunity to be enveloped in love and to embody love. Saint Francis had a deep and abiding love for God, for all people, and all creation.
Love is far greater than an emotion. Love is active and evident in a person’s behavior. Love calls us to reach outside of ourselves; love is impossible to be experienced independent of others. As followers of Saint Francis, we are called to let our love shine; to be a beacon of light in a dark world.
One of my favorite songs is “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” Here are some of the lyrics:
Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land
with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow,
flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord,
and let there be light
Love can change the world. But it isn’t without a cost. Saint Francis was willing to let go of worldly pursuits and possessions for the cause of love. He was willing to forego earthly pleasures. He recognized that love was of infinite value. He marveled at the love of the Holy Trinity. He sought to radiate God’s love throughout his life. He knew that nothing on this earth compared to the love of God.
There are numerous biblical texts that speak of the value of love. In Psalm 36:7 we read, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” I Corinthians chapter 13 is considered the love chapter; it includes these words, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (verse 13). In I John 3:1 it is recorded “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” And in I John 4:16 it states, “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Franciscans, may we love as God loves us. Seek to share God’s infinite love with every person and creature you encounter throughout your day. The beauty of love is the more we extend it to others, the more our love grows.
