A few weeks ago, I was at a Senior Citizens’ party and something happened there that truly caught my admiration and attention. When the band played a Elvis Presley song, a husband and wife couple who probably are nearing their eighties, spontaneously held hands and gazed into each other’s eyes lovingly. The song probably brought them some sweet memories of yesteryears. What was obvious was that they were very much still in love. What a beautiful sight! Whenever I am called to accompany couples who are preparing themselves for marriage, often I hear presenters saying, “Love is a decision and not an emotion”. What I witnessed that day was truly two people who made a decision to love each other a long time ago and who today continue to love one another. It is not that they have never had quarrels and squabbles. I am sure there were times they went to bed angry with one another. But they knew that they had made a covenant with each other and nothing was ever going to take away the love they shared for one another.

It made me reflect how 2000 years ago God made a decision to show us his love…. For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son (cf. John 3:16). Love is indeed a decision. If it was based on an emotion, quite easily love will fade away. God made a decision and we are beneficiaries of that decision which we call a covenant. Jesus summed up the 10 commandments into the two-fold commandment of love for God and neighbour. He not only taught us but he also showed us through his actions. Jesus decided to walk the talk!

We are in the season of love…not only remembering God’s love for us but also our love for one another. It is a time when shopping malls remind us that this is the season to give each other gifts. Maybe this is one way we show our appreciation to one another. But let us remember that the greatest gift we possess is the gift of Jesus Christ since Jesus is the reason for the season. God gives us Jesus not just in a particular season but he gives his only begotten Son everyday in the Eucharist.

I am reminded of the song by the Carpenters that goes… What the world needs now is love sweet love, It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of; What the world needs now is love sweet love; no not just for some but for everyone.