“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). Something I have found about myself is that I love loudly and excitedly. At my best, I have an abundant outpouring of love that graces me with fearlessness in going distances for those that I love. As beautiful as this is, I have also learned that it gets me into trouble. In fact, each of us loves uniquely and it is a tough time to figure out how our hearts work and just as tough to learn that not everyone is ready or able to receive the type of love that we give. That mismatch, miscommunication, or inner confusion can lead to pain.
It’s easy to walk away from pain with the lesson to be more cautious with my heart. That the hope I had was a distraction and selfish indulgence. That it is wrong to love like that. Why did I let my own desire for love (in whatever form, not necessarily romantic) overshadow its effects on others, on myself, on my relationship with God? It seems right to learn my lesson, to stop reaching and be content with what I have.
But Jesus knows there is more out there for me and tells me to try again. Simon Peter in today’s Gospel replies, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets” (Luke 5:5). Now, I am coming back around. I’m trying to embrace the weight of my heart when Jesus tells me to lower my net. And let myself be intense in the way that I have fallen in love with you, the Newman community. Thank you.
— Anonymous