By Fr. Christopher Kubat
In the fourth chapter of his first letter, St. John the Evangelist tells us that God is love and that the evidence of our love of God is our love of neighbor, and the evidence of our love of neighbor is our acts of charity for them. Jesus Himself said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
When one reads the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament, one finds words that lovers speak to each other such as, “Behold you are beautiful, my love, behold you are beautiful!” (4:1); “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me” (7:10); and “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offed for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned” (8:7). There are many other like passages in the beautiful book inspired by the Holy Spirit. This beautiful book attempts to impress the great love God has for us all. How much does God love us? “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16). 
Yes, God loves us so much that He sent His Son to us, to become one of us, in order to die so we could live. We have heard this time and time again, and the danger is that it can start to sound routine. However, if one meditates on these words, gazing upon a crucifix, or even better, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, aided by the Holy Spirit, one will better know and understand what love is and what love does.
On Dec. 17, 10-year-old Katherine Hoefener held her annual birthday party in honor of her late cousin, Grant Hoefener, who died in a tubing accident seven years ago. What a double testimony of love to do this in honor of a deceased loved one, and for the many needy individuals and families who come to us seeking food. This year, more than 550 pounds of food was collected, exceeding last year’s total. When I met Katherine, she helped unload from her parents’ truck, weigh and put away the food, all with a big smile.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Katherine, and her parents Pat and Michelle (for good fruit does not fall far from a good tree) and the entire extended family for their love. We ended our time with a prayer in our chapel for Katherine, her family and the happy repose of Grant.
“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God” (Wisdom 3:1). Eternal rest grant unto his soul O Lord and Let perpetual light shine upon him! May he rest in peace, Amen!
