The desire for eternity is inherent in every person, whether or not they have religious beliefs. Each of us, in fact, would like to leave behind something that speaks of us forever. This is felt and experienced strongly by artists who express themselves in the works they create and pour their soul into them, but also by those who work in scientific research, those who seek a human-scale economy, those who fight for fundamental rights, and those who dream of a world of peace and brotherhood.
It is felt and experienced strongly by artists who express themselves in the works they create and give their soul through them, but also by those who work in scientific research, those who seek an economy on a human scale, those who fight for fundamental rights and those who dream of a world of peace in fraternity.
But it is also true that every man and woman has the opportunity to live an experience with the taste of eternity, loving, loving others, starting with those closest to us and continuing with those farthest away, without forgetting the neighbors that life places at our side every day. A phrase reminds us of this: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you," the so-called "golden rule" present in all cultures and religions of humanity.
To love, then, to love always, that is, to care for one's neighbor, to share joys and sorrows, to go beyond ourselves to build new relationships, made of mutual respect, fraternal communion, selfless help, collaboration, and shared search... An extraordinary experience that can give meaning to our days, that expands our most beautiful feelings and responds to a profound need that belongs to us all and puts into circulation that "relational good" that gives flavor to both individual life and the social life in which we are immersed. To love everyone without distinction, to take the initiative in love, to deeply understand others and grasp their needs, and to respond with concrete gestures, because love is not sentimentality but a value that moves the mind, the heart, and the arms and impels us to action. And where before there was arrogance, domination, indifference, and loneliness, we will see a life born around us, thanks also to our small but strong and decisive contribution; a life richer in meaning, which will leave a lasting mark forever.
We all know that Jesus of Nazareth was the first to speak of love and of mutual love. His words still resonate in all of us today and show us a path to follow. In fact, we recall the parable of the Samaritan, the story of a man from Samaria who, upon encountering a wounded foreigner on the road, being mistreated by robbers, stopped and cared for him, while a priest and a Levite had passed by without stopping.
We can all be like that Samaritan and live the concrete dimension of love, especially in these days filled with the violence of war, abuse, and death, and generate in our homes, in our workplaces, in our cities, as Chiara Lubich recalled, "a culture of peace for the unity of peoples."
It was his dream and today it could be ours too.
