Falling In Love

"On my bed at night I looked for the one I love, I sought him without finding him; I called him and he did not answer. I will rise and go about the city, through the streets and the squares; I will seek the love of my heart… The watchmen came upon me as they made their rounds of the city. 'Have you seen the love of my heart?' As soon as I left them, I found the love of my heart. I held him and would not let him go." - Song of Songs 3:1-4

Time and time again throughout the bible, our relationship with God is compared to the love between a man and a woman. Song of Songs, a wisdom book in the Old Testament, sounds more like an erotic love story than a sacred religious text, but it really does describe perfectly how God begins to court us. There is the attraction, the deepening of the relationship, and we know that out of this bond, beautiful works are produced.

Last night when I spoke at the group, I said that I go to Mass 4 times a week, I pray the Rosary almost daily and read the lives of the saints. This didn't happen over night. Jesus began to call me and over time, I couldn't help but fall in love and keep searching for Him. There exists love at first sight, and this probably happened with the apostles, and some saints, priests, nuns, and other people, who upon feeling that first touch of God, abandoned everything when Jesus looked them in the eye and said, "follow me." But the rest of us are more practical; we see the attraction, but we're cautious. We might have been hurt before and are scared to proceed. Or maybe we have commitment issues. The most important thing to know is that when you start to really follow Jesus, it is falling in love…it's in no way a burden or an obligation, or even a set of rules you must abide by because what wouldn't you gladly give up to be by the side of the one you love? All I do for Him is because, as this verse says, I have found the love of my heart, and I will go out of my way to find Him.

At first, He won't give you all of Himself, but He'll keep calling you while He showers you with graces along the way. This is why people can dedicate their whole lives to God while the outside world wonders what we see in religion. The best part of it is that, unlike love between humans which can always disappoint, the love of God is an unconditional constant. He's the one that will spend the rest of His life with you and remain by your side to watch you grow old, even though you might lose lovers and friends as the years go by. So why not take the chance? Why not respond when He calls? There is nothing to lose.

Today's Prayer:
Jesus, You are the love of my heart. I pray that all people can get to know Your love and how much You want to have us close to You. In Your Name we pray, amen.