"And over
all these put on love, that is,
the bond of perfection" (Col 3:14)
These are decisive words for our life and for our witness in the world. To explain the behavior of Christians, Paul likes to use the example of the clothes that the followers of Christ should wear. In this letter to the Colossians he speaks of the virtues that should fill their hearts as if they were so many articles of clothing. They are: "heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another" (Col 3:12-13). But "over all these," he says, almost as if he were thinking of a belt that ties everything together and enhances and perfects our whole appearance, "put on love."
Yes, love, because it’s not enough for Christians to be compassionate, humble, gentle, patient…. They must love their brothers and sisters. But—someone might object—doesn’t love mean being kind, compassionate, patient, and forgiving? Yes, but not only that.
Jesus taught us the meaning of love. It consists in giving our life for others (see Jn 15:13). Hatred takes away the life of others ("Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer" [1 Jn 3:15]); love, instead, gives life to others. Christians have real love only when they die to themselves out of love for others.
But if Christians have love, Paul says, they will be perfect and all their other virtues will acquire perfection.
"And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection."
Of course, some of us might already be well disposed towards our brothers and sisters, inclined towards forgiving and putting up with them. And yet, if we look closely, often what might be missing is precisely love. Even with the holiest of intentions, human nature tends to make us turn in on ourselves and consequently to use half measures in loving others.
But we cannot call ourselves Christians if we stop at half measures.
We must make the greatest effort to love wholeheartedly. Before every neighbor we meet during the day (at home, at work, everywhere), we can tell ourselves: "Come on, take courage, be generous with God. This is the moment to love, with a love so great as to risk even your life."
"And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection."
These words of the Apostle invite us, therefore, to examine ourselves, to see to what extent our Christian life is animated by charity. Since love is the bond of perfection, it can bring us to the greatest unity with God and with one another.
Let us thank the Lord, then, for having poured his love into our hearts.
His love makes us more and more capable of listening to others, of identifying with the problems and worries of our neighbors, of sharing with them bread, joys and sufferings, of dismantling the barriers that still divide us, of putting aside certain attitudes of pride, rivalry, envy and resentment because of wrongs received in the past, of overcoming that terrible tendency to criticize, of going out of our selfish isolation in order to put ourselves at the disposal of anyone who is needy or lonely, of building everywhere the unity Jesus prayed for.
This is the contribution that we Christians can give towards achieving world peace and brotherhood among peoples, especially in the most tragic moments of history.
The commentary to the Word of Life is translated in 90 different languages and dialects, and reaches more than 14 million people worldwide, through the press, and radio and TV programs. If you would like to read experiences of life related to this or to past " Words of Life," they can be found in Living City magazine, the monthly publication of the Focolare Movement. For information, or to subscribe, write to: Living City, P.O. Box 837, Bronx, NY 10465. To order the magazine, call: 1-800-462-5980. E-mail: livingcity2000@att.net or info@newcitypress.com or visit the website: https://www.newcitypress.com/livingcity.htm © 2001 - Living City of Focolare Movement - P.O. Box 837, Bronx, New York 10465Presented here with permission of the publishers
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