Real love

In today's second reading (1 Jn. 4:7-16) on this Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. John reminds us what love really is.

In this is love:
not that we have loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.

Real love is not the stuff of silly love songs.

Real love is a grace - a gift from God.
Real love is loving as God loves.
Real love is self-sacrificing and forgiving.

Do we really love?

Beloved,
let us love one another,
because love is of God...