Expert: Edward Bode - 12/12/2006

Question
Can you explain the concept of love that Christ spoke about?  Love of God, love your enemies, love yourself; how can one love God is one can never really know God. Loving your enemy presents a difficulty for a different reason.  Even loving yourself, can be hard.  Are all these the same type of love?

Answer
I'll try, Marc, to provide some thoughts.
You are correct that one cannot love what one does not know.  However, we do know something about God; in heaven, the blessed know God directly and "face to face" as Paul expresses it.  In this life we can reasonably conclude to the existence of God, upon whom all creation depends.  From revelation, we know of the goodness of God and His love for us through the work of salvation and of the giving of His grace [help].  So, we do have a good, basic knowledge of God upon which our love can be based.
Love of humans is different from that of loving God since humans are not the creator and the savior.  We love ourselves by caring for the life with which God has entrusted us.  We love others because of God's love for them and for the good that we find in them.  To love one's enemies is to do and want good for them.  I often think that it is best not to have enemies.  I do not have a personal enemy.  I pray for those who might want to do harm.
So, I would say that the love of God, of self and of enemies are of different kinds.  However, they are all based on the fundamental thought that we love what is good and want good to be shared by our fellow human beings.
I probably have not shed much light on your concern, Marc, but if you would like more, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes for a blessed Christmas.