UNREQUITED LOVE

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Today’s Readings:

1 Corinthians 8:1-7,11-13

Psalm 139:1-3,13-14,23-24

Luke 6:27-38

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Have you ever loved someone and the gesture was not returned? That is unrequited love. You will just be catching feeling and dying for this person, and ‘dem no even send you’. De tin can pain! We cannot choose to “not” fall for someone. You can, however, manage your emotions and expectations. But how?

Some people have proposed the following as ways to “stop loving” someone when they do not feel the same:

• Acknowledge your feelings/Accept your pain.

• Do not look for reasons or closure.

• Focus on self-care /love and pamper yourself.

• No social media stalking.

• Let go of any fantasies.

• Distance yourself/set boundaries.

• Find a new focus /socialise.

• Be grateful for the gift of yourself.

• Give yourself time to overcome the feeling.

While all these are healthy and mature ways to deal with unrequited love, Christian love goes higher. Jesus tells us that in order to be like Him, we must understand that some will love us, some will hate us, some will cheat us, others will take advantage of us. But we must go the extra mile and be extraordinary in love just as He did: 

• Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

• Bless those who curse you,

• Pray for those who treat you badly.

• To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too;

• To the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic.

• Give to everyone who asks you,

• Do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you.

• Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

• Refrain from actions that cause scandal even when they are not sinful.

‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned’. (Luke 6:36-37).

What sets you apart from the rest of the world is that you understand that God loved you when you were a sinner and Christ died for you without asking questions. Our unconditional love for others, imitates God’s unconditional love for us. This is possible if we allow grace replace selfishness and act like the gods we are, children of God. We change the world, not be imitating it but by rising above its standards. May God bless you for your spirit of love and forgiveness.

                                                                                                JUDE-MARY OWOH

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To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud:  “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank You Lord.”

 If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident pastor or priest.

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Prayer:

1. Lord, teach me to love like You.

2. Lord, help me to forgive those who hurt me.

3. Lord, bless those whom I struggle to love.

4. Lord, help me to give of my time, talent and treasure to everyone.

5. Lord, grant your special blessings to those who still carry trauma around.

6. Lord, bless those who have closed their hearts to love.

7. Lord, help me to love sacrificially and so receive Your blessings daily. Amen.

8. You are deeply and extraordinarily loved because you are wonderfully and fearfully made. You were worth dying for when Christ died for you. May God fill your heart with love for yourself and others.

9. May God grant you the grace to be heroic in love and receive equal measure.  Amen.

10. You shall not fail in your mission. You will make heaven in Jesus' name.