God, you are my God — it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water.” (Psalm 63:2)
“My soul yearns for you at night, yes, my spirit within me seeks you at dawn…” (Isaiah 26:9)
The experience of the psalmist, as well as the prophet Isaiah, is that of every person in love: Being with one’s beloved is an imperative need. Falling in love is an unexpected surprise. To fall in love, you must be willing to take the risk of encountering someone new. That risk can change the rest of your life.
Since creation, God has invited men and women to encounter him. It begins as an encounter with a stranger, which eventually and surprisingly, blossoms into a joyful love. Like everyone who has been in love, each person who has experienced this encounter leaves happily transformed for life.
Jesus, being the Son of God, has invited many into this intimate encounter with him. Only a few dared to accept his invitation, and the rest of their lives were forever changed. This “encounter” is what we now call evangelization. Only this joyous encounter with the one we love will inspire us to change our lives, despite all of the risks.
The experience of each person in love is unique and unrepeatable. The only thing in common is the joy of their encounter, which is transforming: Mary, Joseph, Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, Paul, Augustine, Francis, Ignatius, Therese, Conchita, Carlo, etc. They each entered into an encounter and were left forever thirsting for that same freshness of love.
The person in love has found a precious pearl and “sells all that he has and buys it.” (Matthew 13:46) The joyful existence of one in love is an inspiration and evangelization to all those he encounters in life. His love story is a powerful appeal to others to take the risk of encountering, so that they may also be surprised and transformed.
The person in love sells everything — future plans, desires, projects, fears and limitations — totally convinced that any sacrifice or renunciation will lead to greater fulfillment: the joy of being with, and living for, their beloved.
A singer once said that he was happy to be a singer. That way, there is one less soldier in the world. Paraphrasing, I would say that one more person in love is one less challenge in the world, or one more joyous surprise for everyone.
“If to recover what was recovered,
I had to first lose what was lost,
If to achieve what was achieved,
I had to endure what was endured,
If to be in love now it was necessary to have been wounded, I have suffered well the suffering,
I have cried well what I’ve cried.
Because after all I have understood,
That what is enjoyed is not well enjoyed
until after having suffered it,
Because after all I have confirmed
that what has flowered on the tree, lives from what is buried.”
— Francisco Luis Bernárdez
Let us risk having an encounter with Jesus. The surprise of his love will make beautiful flowers bloom in our hearts. To all those in love: Thank you. Thank you so much!
Northwest Catholic — October/November 2022