Love Like the Sun

IT IS TOUGH to find any positives from tragedies such as that which occurred Christmas Eve in Nag Hammadi. It is understandable to feel a certain anger and hatred to those who committed these heinous acts, and those related to them. It is also understandable to be upset at the Higher Being allowing such acts. More recently, the earthquakes in Haiti in which the death toll is feared to be in the "thousands."

I don't wish to talk about the "fairness" of what is going on in life, that subject has been heard and seems to be unconvincing to most. I'd rather talk about unconditional love. The type of love that asks for nothing in return. We must ask ourselves, where are we in our spiritual lives; are we able to forgive unconditionally?

Even after all this time
The sun never says to the Earth
"You owe Me."

Look what happens
with a love like that,
It lights the whole world.
-Hafiz

We sometimes are under the impression that there is a certain account we have with God. As if we are doing Him a favor. With that mentality, we believe that God owes us. How preposterous an idea! All we have is a gift from Him. In the widsom of the Church Fathers, we recite in the liturgy that "we offer you Your own gifts from what is Yours." The fool becomes angry, the wise is thankful, and the loving help their brethren.

Throughout all this calamity, Christ is glorified. Thousands of people offering care, prayers, and help to strangers. Unconditional love, seeking nothing in return, simply because others are suffering. Why do terrible acts happen? Because this is what we need to remember that we are all family on this Earth.