A deliberate effort to live in love as God taught us

When we love someone, we naturally want to give to that person. Whether it is our children, grandchildren, parents, spouse, friend or a new relationship, we generously give to them. Why do we have to work so hard at being a good steward when we love God?
The Bible tells us that in order to realize all that life has to offer we must live in a state of love.  St. Paul stated in his first letter to the Corinthians, “Love … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails …” (1 Cor. 13:4-8) 
We know that God’s love for us is eternal and unconditional. Even though He calls us to love our neighbors and be good stewards, it is tempting to take that love for granted. Stewardship is a decision to love and it takes deliberate effort to live in love as God taught us. 
In St. Luke’s Gospel we are reminded that we are even called to love our enemies and give generously without reward. “But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend without expecting anything back.”  (Lk 6:35) Well that is easier said than done.  However, as faithful stewards striving to imitate Christ, we are called to be merciful and love.  Start with the little aggravations we experience, the unkind words, the hurt feelings or the driver that cut us off in traffic.  Rather than plotting revenge on the person responsible, live in love by saying a quick prayer for that person.  Mercy and love will put us on the path to holiness.
The perfect example of love is God’s love for us. We are sinners. We make mistakes and don’t always choose what is pleasing to God. Yet, He loves us so much that He not only gave us all our gifts and talents, but he gave us salvation. That is the ultimate love story. 
 “So faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13)
­­— Shannon Roh is the Executive Director of the Office of Development and Stewardship for the Archdiocese of Mobile.