Scottish Catholic Observer

God’s love is a shining example in an often-dark world. His love is generous and caring, giving and supportive, forgiving and complete. Is it little wonder humankind struggles in its search for a love to equal His on this earth?

In last week’s SCO, Sr Roseanne Reddy was witty, frank and accurate about relationships when she said today people often mistake, or worse, accept, sex for love. Those without faith even disdain the way Christianity views sexuality, as we witnessed in the demonstrations and celebrations surrounding the recent passing of the Scottish Government’s Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill to legalise same-sex ‘marriage.’

Love comes in many forms, as do relationships, and in our hearts we all need love. To Catholics, however, the Sacrament of marriage is the formal recognition of the love between a man and a woman who hope to build a family to share in that love. Our understanding of marriage will not change.

As a society what we also need to celebrate is that love is not limited to only romantic relationships. Current statistics show many more marriages breaking down, people living together and single occupancy homes than in years gone by. Yet there is still a great deal of love in the world if we are prepared to see it.

Older people can sometimes feel isolated when a partner dies and their family is far away, yet there is often a friend or neighbour there watching over them whom they could reach out to. Single people can be surrounded by friends and family yet still feel lonely if their heart craves romantic love. Married people can feel lonely too, if they are not emotionally connected to their partner. Couples without children can long for a family of their own to share their love.

For many of us, the grass appears greener on the other side yet no one can truly know what lies in our hearts but God. Trust in Him and see the love that is already all around you.

Love may not come wrapped in the package you thought it would. It may or may not be hearts and flowers wrapped in a bow, but it is there if you only let it into your life. Take a leap of Faith. Take God’s love, be that love and let it radiate to others.