The divine flavor of love: Reflections on the Sunday Gospel John 15:9-17 by Father Steven LaBaire

I am pleased to present this guest post from Father Steven LaBaire, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Worcester, MA.

In preparation for mass this Sunday:

“This is my commandment: Love one another as I love you.” (John 15:9-17)

I once knew a marriage therapist who used to say to couples:

“Love is less about what happens when everything in your marriage is going ‘OK.’ Not much effort is required when things are ‘OK.’ Not much work or sacrifice is needed when the day or week has been ‘OK.’

No, love is about how you treat each other when things are definitely not ‘OK,’ when your world is falling apart.

The acid test of love is when you’re in terrible pain and how you treat each other in the midst of the pain.

Benurs – Learning and learning… Love is in the subway, from Flickr Creative Commons

Love is easy only in dreams in fairy tales.

But this bold-flavored love, that is attentive yet strong when life is rough and mean: This is the love that will change your life.

When you give it or receive it, you get to glimpse your better self.

And as seasons pass, you become grateful for the privilege of having experienced this love … a love that dared to soar above just ‘OK.’”