“A love that knows no suffering is not worthy of the name” (St. Clare of Assisi).
Since love is associated with suffering in our earthly life, some people do not want to risk loving. They fear getting hurt, so they keep their hearts in a “safe zone” to feel protected. However, the essence of love is different. Just as no one can go to war without being willing to get hurt, no one can love without being willing to suffer. Love is the most beautiful and noble treasure. But it cannot become a lasting reality in our earthly life unless we accept its conditions.
Love can be rejected, hurt, misunderstood, and ridiculed. It can be considered a weakness and be subject to various misunderstandings. Nevertheless, none of this should prevent us from loving. The best example was given to us by the Son of God. Despite enjoying unimaginable glory, he chose to humble himself and become human to fulfill the will of the Father and redeem humanity. His only motivation was God’s love for us. He wanted to lead his children from confusion to light and from the shadow of death to eternal life.
In his omniscience, our Father knew that many would not understand or even reject his love. But that did not stop Him. He Himself expressed this in the Message to Mother Eugenia Ravasio:
“Men will ignore my presence, even though they are close to me. They will mistreat me in my Son despite all the good he will do for them. In my Son, they will slander me, they will crucify me to kill me. Will I stop because of this? No, my love for my children is too great!”
Such is our Father!
If we follow Him, He will give us the strength to love and be willing to endure the suffering that comes with it.