All you need is love...

No this is not a tribute to the Beatles. Years ago my daughter related that she had a conversation with Father White. She was very young at the time. She asked Father White, "I am afraid I am forgetting to do something it says I should do in the Bible. There seems to be so many things I should be doing. Giving to the poor, of course living the Ten Commandments, and treating others as you would want to be treated. But it says I should clothe the naked, and feed the hungry, and visit people in prison. There seems to be many requirements and I'm not doing some of those things."

Father White told my daughter, "I believe when we stand before the gates of heaven we will be judged on how much and how well we loved."

That seems like such a simplistic answer. But is it?

Think about it:

Did you Love God enough to put Him first in your life? Above all things, above material wealth?

Did you love Jesus enough to reflect often on the perfect sacrifice He gave for us? The unimaginable suffering He withstood so that we may have a chance to live an eternity of joy and happiness with Him in Paradise?

Did you love the unborn and mourn for their martyrdom through abortion?

Did you love your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Did you go out of your way to practice unexpected acts of kindness and charity?

Did you love your family enough to honor your commitment to them, and offer guidance based on Christian values and beliefs.

Did you love the word of God so much that you study the Bible?

Did you guide your friends in their struggles by telling them to trust in Jesus and to Pray to God for guidance.

Did you love enough to sacrifice so others would benefit? My mother and father gave up a lot of material things so my sister and I could benefit from a Catholic education.

So the concept of how well you loved is really not as simplistic as it sounds. Remember John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, (to suffer and die on the cross) that whosoever believed in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." How does your love compare to the love God has for you?