January 1

On St Stephen’s day in the Office of Readings there was a sermon by St Fulgentius of Ruspe titled The armour of love in which he highlights “the gift of love” which we receive from Jesus and how this love brings us “to share in his divinity”:

"Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin’s womb and graciously visited the world.

Our king, despite his exalted majesty, came in humility for our sake; yet he did not come empty-handed. He brought his soldiers a great gift that not only enriched them but also made them unconquerable in battle, for it was the gift of love, which was to bring men to share in his divinity. He gave of his bounty, yet without any loss to himself. In a marvellous way he changed into wealth the poverty of his faithful followers while remaining in full possession of his own inexhaustible riches."

This “gift of love” must be pondered on and proclaimed to everyone over and over again; this “gift of love” shows us our reason for existing, “to share in his divinity”, this “gift of love” is transformational for all who realise its significance.

Anyone who accepts this “gift of love” will never be the same again and the transformation in that person will change the world for the better, or, to use Paul’s metaphor, this will be a healthy cell in the body invigorating the cells it comes in contact with and so making the whole body healthier.

"Now at last, Paul rejoices with Stephen, with Stephen he delights in the glory of Christ, with Stephen he exalts, with Stephen he reigns. Stephen went first, slain by the stones thrown by Paul, but Paul followed after, helped by the prayer of Stephen. This, surely, is the true life, my brothers, a life in which Paul feels no shame because of Stephen’s death, and Stephen delights in Paul’s companionship, for love fills them both with joy. It was Stephen’s love that prevailed over the cruelty of the mob, and it was Paul’s love that covered the multitude of his sins; it was love that won for both of them the kingdom of heaven."

Paul’s transformation, or conversion, is one of the most famous and is a great example of the transformational power of Jesus’ “gift of love.”

For those of us who are still unsure, Fulgentius makes his wonderful point even more explicit:

"Love, indeed, is the source of all good things; it is an impregnable defence,- and the way that leads to heaven. He who walks in love can neither go astray nor be afraid: love guides him, protects him, and brings him to his journey’s end.

My brothers, Christ made love the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven. Hold fast to it, therefore, in all sincerity, give one another practical proof of it, and by your progress in it, make your ascent together."

As Jesus said “I am the way” he was proclaiming that he is love; that he is “love, the stairway that would enable all Christians to climb to heaven.” Fulgentius’ sermon leaves us in no doubt of the power of love; what a great gift we received from Jesus on Christmas Day, and this gift is offered to us all now.

The above is related to my post of November 6 on The Law of Love which demonstrated that, as Scott Hahn writes, “Love is the only law we are to live by.” This statement was then linked to the Second Vatican Council document on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes, which in Section 16, points out that God has written the divine law in our hearts, and conscience reveals that law: “In a wonderful manner conscience reveals that law which is fulfilled by love of God and neighbor.” This confirms the Primacy of Conscience.

Let us all accept Jesus’ “gift of love” and make the world a much better place for everyone in 2013.