There is a story told of St John the Evangelist. Every morning, he would impart some kind of teaching to his disciples and he would end with, "God is love," each time. One morning, someone asked him why he kept saying the same thing every day. In turn, St John asked them whether they had carried out the commandment of God, which is to love God, and to love one another, and everyone was quiet. St John then said, "God is love."

We spend so much time trying to learn as much as we can and that is commendable. However, knowledge is of not much value if it's not accompanied by the love of God and neighbour. The pursuit of knowledge can be a cold endeavour, but when we put love into our endeavour, it can be transformed into something beautiful and warm. What we gain through our studies and reflection can and should be used for the growth of the people and to help them grow closer to God, especially when it is accompanied with love.

When we live according to the love of God, we will do our best to spread that love to those around us. Granted it's never easy to love, especially difficult people, but it is better to try our best in loving than not to love at all. "God is love!"