The Final Advent Candle: Beacon of Love

In this way the love of God was revealed to us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. (1 Jn 4:9)

In life, it is inevitable that we will experience hurt from others, primarily due to one fundamental reason: love. Without love, we could avoid pain, but as human beings, it is unnatural not to love. Thus, our hearts are bound to be wounded by the words or actions of others because of our capacity to love.

The depth of our hurt often correlates with the depth of our love. Those closest to us can inflict the most pain. The greatest heartache arises when our love for someone is unreciprocated. When we encounter actions contrary to our understanding of love, it wounds us deeply. As a young woman, I can attest that when we love, we do so intensely and believe it should be eternal.

As Christians, we are called to love one another without judgment, reflecting God’s unwavering love for us, despite our sins. Every person on this earth needs love, and to love someone means to consistently desire their good (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1766). While we may dislike or even detest someone’s actions, we are not to hate the individual, as this contradicts our Catholic faith.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta wisely noted, “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” Small acts of love, such as a simple smile to a passerby, can significantly impact someone’s day. These little gestures of kindness can brighten the lives of those we encounter daily.

Demonstrating our love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ requires minimal effort, yet it is something we are obliged to do as Catholics. Living out the Gospel message authentically means embodying love. Looking up at the Cross reminds us of the greatest love: a Father sacrificing His only Son for our salvation. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, shedding His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, set us free because of God’s boundless love for humanity. How can we not share that love with others?

During this fourth week of Advent, as we light the final purple candle symbolizing love, I urge our readers to perform one small act of kindness. A single gesture can make a profound difference in the life of another, and we never know who might be in need of a moment of compassion during these days of preparing for the birth of the Lord.

We are reminded of the profound impact love can have not only on our own lives, but the lives of those around us. Love should not be an abstract concept, but a tangible force in our daily lives. In lighting this fourth candle, let us re-commit to authentically living out the essence of love as we go about the days leading up to the Nativity of the Lord, embodying the light of Christ in a world that so desperately needs it.

Photo by Jonas Von Werne on Unsplash