“ACT ALWAYS WITH LOVE.” This is the insight that came to me after
reading a message from Pope Paul VI on a Lenten Meditation which was published
in the Vatican II Daily Missal. It reads
as follows: “Our actions acquire value
thru the thought which accompanies them, that is, thru the intention which
ennobles them.”
After pondering on what this message
means to me, I realized that any action
of mine should be motivated by a purpose or reason, and it is this purpose that
can spell the difference between what is good and what is bad.
After reflecting on all the possible
reasons that can motivate my actions, I considered just one reason which could
serve as the ultimate purpose for all my actions, and that is: LOVE. I do believe that if I do anything out of love of God or love of
my neighbor, my action becomes
meaningful and pleasing in the eyes of God.
Love, of course, is, as they say, a
“Many Splendored Thing”. It can be
manifested in many different ways. It
can be expressed in Thought, Word, or Deed.
It has, however, only one objective – the GOODNESS of another – either
of God or a fellowman – for God’s Glory or for a fellowman’s welfare.
To act with love, however, is not
automatic. It requires some moments of
deliberation and decision before the action.
This for me is a challenge that poses some difficulty, due to previous
behaviors wherein I acted without first considering any motives or the
consequences of my actions. There were
times when I acted at the spur of the moment, oftentimes moved by anger or
hatred instead of love.
I, therefore, pray that God will
give me the graces I need to be patient and give myself time to deliberate on
what could be a loving response to any situation before I decide on any
action.
“TO ACT ALWAYS WITH LOVE” shall be a continuing challenge for me for
the rest of my life. I believe, however,
that this is what God wants me to do, and relying on His infinite Goodness and
overflowing graces, I shall be able to make it the GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF MY
LIFE.
By: Buddy Cagurangan
March
11, 2012
