God created love to be the bond that connects between people. It is one of the critical virtues that lead other virtues like sacrifice, patience and endurance. A lover would always endure and give generously.
Victor Hugo — ‘You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.‘ How wonderful are the loving givers as they will never stop giving. Not only does their love extend out to the whole world, they also never hate or envy. When the world lacks love, it would turn out to be a battle field that leads to destruction and injustice. One the sayings of Pope Shenouda III is “Grow seeds of love on earth and it would turn into heaven. Remove love from earth and it would turn into a grave”. The more people love one another, the more peace prevails and if love ceases to exist, life will be meaningless. “How wonderful is a heart that loves you unconditionally, all what it asks is to be all right”
Love is a precious thing. It is a bond that connects the whole family and friends. Without love people will lose trust in themselves and others.
True love helps a person to overcome his deep obstacles. It helps him to rise after falling down and provides him with strength to start over. The greatest love that comes above all is that of God. God loves us generously and never refuses anyone who resorts to Him. He accepts repentance and helps those in need. He is our Greatest Protector. His love inspires us to love our brethrens in humanity and soothe their pain.
Love helps people to work collaboratively and support one another. Love also is a passage to tolerance and excusing others.
Patriotism is one of the deepest kinds of love. Egyptians experienced this love since ages and they engraved their patriotic stories in history. Love should reflect on our work for building Egypt that Pope Shenouda III has said about “Egypt is not a country we dwell in. It is rather a country that dwells in our hearts”. May God guard Egypt and protect it from evil.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
