What is Love?

 

Just a small reflection on today’s Gospel that I wanted to share.  

The verses that have penetrated my heart during prayer today are the following two “he does not ration his gift of the Spirit”, and that, “The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.”

We, humans, have such a funny idea of what love is. Is it a feeling or emotion that we experience? Is it an overwhelming desire that we have for something or someone? Most of us can all relate to someone or something we love, perhaps many of us love ice cream on a hot day and it makes us happy when we get a chance to eat some. 🍨 Perhaps this is Love as we know it but divine love is so very different, and I feel that the Gospel today makes that very clear to us.

We see that the Father gives “everything over to the Son” And that word “Everything” has a huge and very divine meaning.  The Father gives his everything out of Love for his Son, his being, his personhood, his essence, and his whole divine self and asks nothing from us in return. It’s a radical Love indeed!

Definitely, this is deep and Mystical, but it also serves as a challenge for us to Love in the same way. To give everything away, careful not to hold anything back. We are called to give all of ourselves, our talents, our possessions, and our lives away to others without counting the cost and excepting anything back in return. We must not “ration” our love, talents, or possessions, instead, we must give everything away!

It’s a challenge indeed, and we will more and likely fail many, many times throughout our journey here on Earth. However, one thing is for sure, Jesus is merciful, patient, and loving and with his help, we can perfect the love that we have for those around us. We must be confident that by practicing this radical love and by persistent prayer our hearts will become more docile over time, and we will find that we will become animated by the Holy Spirit to not ration our “everything” to those who need our love the most!

Also, I find it fitting to share this video that Gabriel has made of our sweet friend Maritza! 

I must say thank you to all those who have helped us Love her in such a radical way!

We are so excited to see how Jesus brings others to us to love in the same way! Our hearts are docile, and we are ready to give our lives to those he brings to Santa Maria Magdalena’s Home!

The feast of Saint Maria Magdalena is right around the corner, and we are working around the clock to prepare the Home, Chapel, and Grounds for the Bishop's visit and inauguration mass planned for July 22!  

So many of you have asked about the home's progress and what items we still need before we open in July and here is the home's current needs or Wishlist! 

Click the following links or scan the QR codes 

to donate or send your prayer intentions!

Del Castillo Family

Santa Maria Magdalena's Home

Here is the entire Gospel reading for today

“The one who comes from above is above all.

The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.

But the one who comes from heaven is above all.

He testifies to what he has seen and heard,

but no one accepts his testimony.

Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.

For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.

He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.

The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,

but the wrath of God remains upon him.”

John 3:31-36

 

 We love you all! 

Karen and Gabreil Del Castillo 

Mission post : Santa Clara, Amazonas, Peru - 

Santa Maria Magdalena's Home