"Perfect love drives out fear."
Perfect love drives out anxiety.
Perfect love drives out unjust anger.
Perfect love drives out unrest.
Perfect love drives out strife.
Where there is Perfect love, there is only joy.
Where there is Perfect love, there is Truth.
Where there is Perfect love, there is light.
Where there is Perfect love, there is patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, selflessness, and forgiveness.
Where there is Perfect love, there is protection, trust, hope, and perseverance.
Love will never give up on you. Love never fails.
In today's first reading, we hear from Saint John the Beloved Disciple that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear." What is this perfect love? We, as humans, all love imperfectly. We love half-heartedly, not wanting to make sacrifices or suffer for the sake of another person. We have fear in our love: fear of loving improperly or too much or too little. The truth is, we cannot achieve perfect love here on earth. (There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. - 1 John 4:18) Perfect love is not an action. God is perfect Love- Love without fear, without limits. Without God, we cannot truly love.
"I agree that perfect love drives out fear, but then why do I still have fear, anxiety, depression, emotional pain, etc.?"
When one knows that Jesus loves them and is with them always, they do not have to feel any of these things. Of course, as humans, we all do anyway, and that is normal- it's human nature. However, our faith allows us to trust in God and to have hope that things will get better and that He is with us, because He is perfect love, and in perfect love, there is no fear. Fear, anxiety, depression, pain, etc., are not from God. He may allow them but He doesn't send them on purpose. He is there to help you get through them and grow as a result. Love (God) is bigger than all those feelings. When you, "let Him into the boat" as is discussed in the Gospel today, He tells you to not be afraid. He says that He is here, and He loves you more than you could ever fathom, and finally, He "makes the wind die down" and brings peace to your heart, even if your problem isn't solved right away. (If you're not understanding where I'm going with this, click here and read verses 45-52. 😉)
How do we give Perfect Love to others in this life? Saint John also answers this. He says, "Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us, and his love is brought to perfection in us." When we love others- not just our families, friends, boyfriends, or girlfriends, but EVERYONE to the best of our ability, we are loving God, and God is loving others perfectly through us. (God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. - 1 John 4:16-17) We ourselves can experience receiving this Perfect Love by participating in the sacraments, reflecting on the goodness and sacrificial gifts of God, and by recognizing and appreciating the love that others have for you and for God.
Ultimately, Love is the path to Heaven: Jesus saved us by Love; We are contributing to our salvation by loving others; and we will be saved when we are judged favorably by our loving Father, who will "judge us on love alone." (St. John of the Cross).
And how do we love? We love by being patient, being kind, humble, truthful, selfless, forgiving, and by protecting, trusting, hoping, and never giving up. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
Perfect love drives out all fear. Love never fails. God never fails.
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