By Olivia Obijiaku
Christians have been charged to love everyone without conditions. Reflecting on, ‘Love Conquers All’ on Sunday, 5th May, 2024, the Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Rev Fr Sebastian cited the love between the Father, Jesus and His disciples as a template.
He acknowledged the abuse of love by some recipients but nudged parishioners to keep loving other because it is a command from God who is sure to reward them in His own ways.“Just love for love conquers.”
He guided. “Love conquers hatred and jealousy. It vindicates ultimately. Just continue to love no matter what. It will store up treasure for you in heaven even when people do not appreciate you. If you have love you have God and if you have God you have everything.
So just love and God will abide in you. When He abides in you He takes care of you, He takes care of your needs. He takes care of everything about you.”“Love is so simple and yet difficult. But we can love unconditionally when we see God in our neighbours.
When you learn to see God in your neighbours you will learn to love them – you find it easy to love. God is love. Everything you do should center on Him. That is why Schema is the greatest of all commandment.
We have nothing without love. If love is not at the center of all that you do, then it is futile.”“Love and obedience go together. Our personal love for God should lead us to obey His commandments. You do not just love in vain. There are benefits that come with your loving God. There are benefits that come with your obeying and keeping His commandments. You remain in His love.
You become His friend. Your joy is complete.”Fr Vincent lamented that the world is bereft of love. He conditioned returning to love as a way of making the world a better place because, ‘Man was expelled from paradise for disobeying love. We must return by loving.”
