Love is the foundation and prevailing characteristic that St. Paul is directing his followers in Rome to consider as their primary continuing indebtedness. They need to keep an unpaid account of owing mankind the willingness to love him. This is the one characteristic that will keep one from falling into sin. This is what will assist you in keeping the commandments and abstaining from breaking the laws of God. The one commandment that seems to paramount all the others is to love your neighbor as yourself. One of the qualities that stems from this level of love is a desire to work good toward your fellow man.
It is said that love works no ill toward one's neighbor. This guidance is found in Romans, 1Corinthians 13, and Ephesians, which puts a little twist on it but it still requires a love that is exemplary. Eph. 5:21, "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ." This word subject was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden". Jesus said in Matt. 11:30. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
This fulfilling of the law by working love seems to be a sure way to be like Christ especially that He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. If I can do something that Christ has accomplished even in some small remote way it would be truly a blessing. The law was a tool to assist the social life of all Jewish believers and is still a good tool for the same kind of guidance. Perhaps the consistency that we could observe in the participation of an attitude of true love which helps us to prefer one another and to think of our fellow man as someone of dignity is what it means to put on Christ. For to put on Christ is to make no room for anything contrary to Christ likeness.
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
If love in general calls for a return of love, this holds especially in divine love, which is shown us in grace. For when God bestows His grace on us He makes us worthy of His love and gives us the power to love Him, a thing that no other love can do. Moreover, He unites Himself so intimately to the soul that He not only is an remains substantially present in its interior, but forms, as it were, one whole, one spirit with it.
-Matthias Sheeban, Translated by Patrick Shaughnessy, O.S.B., S.T.D. The Glories of Divine Grace, St. Meinrad, Indiana, Grail Publication, Chapter Seven Pg.61
This week and the week past I have felt more of the necessity of my giving up more and of greater self denial if I would continue to increase in the love of Jesus. Oh that I would give myself wholly up to Jesus how much more should Jesus be to me. I see in Jesus more than all the wisdom of the world and power omnipotent. Into thy hands oh Lord I commend by spirit. Oh may I be a brave & valiant soldier in thy cause. Oh Jesus take pity on me. Thou knowest our human frailties. Forgive and bless me of Jesus. The enemy lies always in watch of us. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Amen.
Isaac Hecker (1819-1888)
-Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. Praying To Our Lord Jesus Christ, San Francisco, Ignatius Press, Pg.119