Rector

Love: A Choice, A Commitment, and A Gift

Love is a Choice

Love is a conscious decision to care for, support, and prioritize another person. It’s a choice to put someone else’s needs before our own, to listen, to understand, and to empathize.

Love is a Commitment

Love requires effort, patience, and perseverance. It's a commitment to work through challenges, to forgive, and to grow together. Love is not a feeling that fades with time, but a bond that strengthens with each passing day.

Love is a Gift

Love is a gift that we give to others, but it's also a gift that we receive. When we love and are loved in return, we experience joy, happiness, and a sense of belonging. In the context of Valentine’s Day, let us draw a few reflections from the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita.

Bible

1. God is Love (1 John 4:8):

The Bible teaches that God is the embodiment of love. This divine love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.

2. Love Your Neighbor (Mark 12:31):

Jesus emphasized the importance of loving one’s neighbour as oneself. This commandment is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures and is a fundamental principle of Christian ethics.

3. The Greatest Commandment (John 13:34-35):

Jesus gave a new commandment to his disciples: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”; This commandment is a call to radical, selfless love.

Quran

1. Mercy and Compassion (Quran 21:107):

The Quran describes Allah as the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. This divine mercy is a manifestation of Allah’s love for humanity.

2. Love and Forgiveness (Quran 3:134):

The Quran teaches that those who forgive and show mercy to others will be forgiven and shown mercy by Allah. This emphasizes the importance of loving and forgiving others.

3. The Prophet’s Example (Quran 33:21):

The Quran presents the Prophet Muhammad as an example of love, compassion, and mercy. Muslims are encouraged to follow his example in their relationships with others.

Bhagavad Gita

1. Divine Love (Bhagavad Gita 11:55):

The Bhagavad Gita describes the divine love of Krishna, which is unconditional and all-encompassing.

2. Selfless Love (Bhagavad Gita 2:47-48):

The Gita teaches that one should perform actions without attachment to their fruits, motivated by selfless love and devotion to God.

3. Love and Detachment (Bhagavad Gita 3:30):

The Gita emphasizes the importance of cultivating love and detachment simultaneously. This means loving others without attachment to specific outcomes or expectations.

We find certain common themes in the Sacred Scriptures of these three religions:

1. Unconditional Love: All three scriptures emphasize the importance of unconditional love, which is not based on external circumstances or expectations.

2. Selflessness: Love is often associated with selflessness, sacrifice, and putting others needs before one’s own.

3. Divine Love: Each scripture describes a divine love that is the ultimate source of love and inspiration for human relationships.

These reflections offer a glimpse into the rich and diverse perspectives on love found in the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita.

Celebrating Love in All Its Forms

As college students, you are surrounded by various forms of love:

– Romantic love: the love shared between partners

– Friendship: the love and support shared among friends

– Family: the love and bond shared among relatives

– Self-love: the love and care we show ourselves.

Let’s celebrate love in all its forms, recognizing that each type of love enriches our lives and helps us grow as individuals.

A Challenge for This Valentine’s Day

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, take a moment to reflect on the love in your life:

– Express gratitude to those who love and support you

– Show kindness and compassion to those around you

– Cultivate self-love and self-care

By doing so, you’ll not only make this Valentine’s Day special but also nurture the love that surrounds you throughout the year.

Happy Valentine’s Day and God bless you all