Ahavah; Much Loved-Part 1

This time, I came across a different love letter. At a time when love was growing colder; when just too many other things kept crowding my mind-space and when just a flurry of perceived unmet expectations seemed to be dampening my spirit.

The writer of the letter wasn’t the one who penned it. What I knew assuredly, was that the letter was meant for me. Almost an alter ego of myself writing for me a love treatise, from the One who loved me most. A strange tryst of coincidences. A wondrous mystery of time. A physician, a researcher, a historian; someone with an eye for details, ear for patient listening, and a pen that had the flair for the language of the day.

The contents of the letter had a mysterious ability to stir my deepest emotions, placate my part-weary-part-disturbed thoughts, and calm me with a peace that passes understanding. As I read it, it was as if an internal storm had been stilled, as if a gentle rain had caressed my hardened self. As I read it, it was like a lullaby, for my anxious soul; it was like a strong hand that pulled me up from where I had fallen, and it was like a compass and a map, that set me walking towards my destination again.  

The letter addressed me; O lover…Philus! Then the letter dived into renditions of three beautiful love songs, written and sung at the zenith of love’s fulfillment! Each song embroidered richly with memories of love’s long history and, descriptions of years and years of expectations, now fulfilled. 

One of the songs would say, 

“His love and kindness will shine upon us like the sun that rises in the sky. 

On us who live in the dark shadow of death, 

this light will shine to guide us into a life of peace.” 

(Lk 1:78-79)

Then there was this most poignant expression of love. She was there, knowing that she had been loved much, because she had been forgiven much. Ahavah. Unconditional love! She expressed her love by giving up everything she had. “She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them” He would say of her, “Have you noticed this woman? When I came into your home, you didn't give me any water so I could wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You didn't even pour olive oil on my head, but she has poured expensive perfume on my feet. So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love”. (Lk 7:36-50)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV_LUs2lnIQ