Article August 6, 1979 Issue

To like or to love?

PERSIS E. ZUBER

Christ Jesus' emphasis on the biblical commandment "Love thy neighbour as thyself"^{Matt. 22:39; cf. Lev. 19: 18;} adds a new dimension to our sense of loving. Taking "neighbour" in its broader signification of fellowman, are we to go about loving the rapist, the derelict, the tyrant, or the unpleasant individuals with whom we may come in contact?

One could reasonably ask, "How can I love the child-abuser? Perhaps if I could find just one lovable quality, I'd try to at least love that." Yet the Master didn't say first find something you like in an individual and then you can love him. He simply said love.

The words "liking" and "loving" have many connotations. "Liking" may be a human emotion with many variations of intensity. But "loving," in its Christly sense, is a spiritual quality emanating from divine Love itself and reflected by spiritual man. This kind of love transcends human likes and dislikes.

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