Where love and act become one
Since we have consistently tried to elucidate the concept of love in its deepest truest sense it feels appropriate to continue by expanding on its various aspects. This time we shall discuss what the human will needs to make/prove love true. Love joins with reality in the knowledge of the universal and particular good of a person. (Further, introduction to this aspect of love can be found when we discussed the what and how of love.)
First, we must question what our perception tells us about what is good first for ourselves and next for others. After all, we are called to "Love others as yourself" and "treat them as you wish to be treated"(Luke 6:31; Matthew 22:37–39, Luke 10:27, Mark 12:30-31). Aquinas says "Goodness and being are really the same, and differ only in idea; which is clear from the following argument. The essence of goodness consists in this, that it is in some way desirable. Hence the Philosopher says (Ethic. i): "Goodness is what all desire." Now it is clear that a thing is desirable only in so far as it is perfect; for all desire their own perfection. But everything is perfect so far as it is actual."[1] Knowledge of what is good requires our answering the question of what is not only desirable but what is most desirable (since this is love of which we speak). So what do we want most? Answering this question requires knowledge of not only what is most true but what (in spite of potentially fleeting desires) is our surest longing which we always grasp after in all that we aspire to and do. The answer is revealed by God to us, but if one does not admit God's benevolence and existence, we cannot get this far. This means that even without having knowledge of God we cannot proceed or claim to know what love is even without mentioning His example. The answer to our question of what we most desire not only involves being loved but being loved, cared for, and even embraced by God i.e. to be in communion with all things by being in communion with Existence Itself. Thus, to have the correct perception of the good requires knowledge of what He who is Goodness Itself wants (Mark 10:18), to be in relationship with Love Itself (1 John 4:16).
Second, we must look at our broader logical approach to life, we understand that what is generally desirable is we answer our other desires in a way that does not contradict other goods in our life. Our desire for a relationship with those in our proximity who love us, the need for rest stability, quiet, and proper/healthy bodily function/status. a tangential but all too relevant general question: what does God want for us regarding this? " I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10; Romans 8:28). We can know, thus that our universal good is what God wills, and that everything we endure is for that end. Moreover, sometimes our life is very difficult, and it is so because our universal good sometimes requires withholding lesser goods, but this is what order means. Sin is not doing this but virtue is doing this properly, and following the will of God means doing it as He wants.[2] Since we know what He wants may be difficult at times we know it to inform our deepest desire for communion with Him which achieves our universal, particular, and present goods. More than that we know the good of another by recognizing each aspect of their/our nature and wishing for and acting where applicable, possible, and appropriate those goods. However, we have to understand that things are not always what they seem. We must not only the universal good without the particular and not the particular/present without the universal. For example hedonism breaches not only a relationship with God but with what is actually good in the moment, and having knowledge of the universal good does not justify all means necessary to convince or force good order upon someone. Knowledge of both comes from a relationship with God that is healthy and a relationship with Him and in whom we aspire to love tin vulnerability and in unity.
In conclusion, to truly love, we must discern what is good for ourselves and others, aligning our desires with the perfection that all beings inherently seek. As Aquinas illuminates, goodness is intertwined with being and desirability, driving us to pursue what is ultimately most desirable communion with God. Life's challenges, though difficult, refine our understanding and practice of love, calling us to act virtuously even in adversity. True love encompasses a harmonious balance of universal and particular goods, ensuring our actions respect the broader divine order and the immediate needs of those around us. Love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice to seek the good in alignment with God's will, requiring vulnerability, unity, and a steadfast commitment to others' well-being. By nurturing our relationship with God and others, we embody the truest sense of love, fulfilling our deepest longing for communion with Existence Itself.
FN:
- Thomas Aquinas, Summa theologiae, I, q. 5, a. 1, at New Advent, www.newadvent.org.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1849.
Written by Carter Carruthers & also available soon at Missio Dei
