Is love a commodity to be acquired, hoarded, or traded on the open market?
We all know transactional love; it’s the “I’ll love you if you love me back” or until human feelings change. The here today, gone tomorrow – kind of experience.
We even say God is Love but fail to question our imaginal thinking in a God who demands obedience at the expense of hell yet loves unconditionally.
In this human confusion, I’d rather ponder “What does Love ask?” to discern Sacred Spirit and Divine will in and for my life.
I’ve asked the question “What does Love ask?” within my writing circle and have been permitted to share the response from Geraldine F, who resides in Ireland, and Ann R, who lives in the USA. The final reflection is mine, which I developed via the writings of John of the Cross and the music of John Michael Talbot.
What does Love ask? by Ann R.
The question, What does Love ask? Has really been hanging with me in a lovely way. After thinking of the many appropriate responses to Love – basically slipping into my “what should I do” in response to such a gift mode – I found my answer: Nothing. The Love is so totally and freely given that it is there and will remain whether I accept or reject. My yes or no changes nothing. Do I weep, overcome by the immense unfathomable tenderness of such Love? Or do I exalt with joy that such infinite goodness is forever there, in all and for all? If I can see that love ask nothing, then I am on my way to understanding what unconditional means. I can do nothing to increase this love in me and I can do nothing to lose it. The pure undivided infiniteness of Love is poured out without measure, without cause, without asking, there from the beginning. Why are we blinded by this outpouring? For me, I know I did not always see. But now I am acquiring sight and I am simply dazzled by the Love. And so grateful to be here where Love abounds, and asks nothing. Peace, Ann.
What does Love Ask by Geraldine F.
Open your heart that I may pour my Essence in to overflowing, that you may pour it out generously, like a refreshing fall of rain flowing freely down into the parched, drought threatened hearts encountered on the desert road. Open your mind and lips That I may plant and nurture Seeds of loving thoughts and words For all “the good and bad alike” Uprooting the colourful and pleasantly scented flowers of “Sweet Revenge” that grow within the barren soil along the desert road. Open your arms, Embrace Me as I embrace you Embrace the world in all its colour And in the richness and warmth of its returning embrace Is the Oasis that is to be encountered Along the desert road.
What does Love ask? by Guy K.
To know its presence in the darkness, as a light burning in one’s heart, more lovely than the dawn. The fruitlessness of a search out there, with its thousand graces, does not my heart heal. Empty and broken, within its resounding solitude, Listen for its whisper, and taste. Finding its flame alive, wounding the inner heart, without oppression. Bubbling, flowing, eternal, knowing nothing else, but to drink. Praise the adventure, in being lost from all sight, heaven’s glory attained. Giving voice, Day to day, hour to hour, gently away. A union not flesh; unsaid, unwritten, embraced, beloved, as a child. Come, pass through me, as I lay longing, to sleep and be washed again.
Ps. What does love ask of you?
Click on the image below to hear a musical interpretation
