The Fruit of Love

Last week we reflected upon the first of two gifts related to the theological virtues of faith: the gift of knowledge. The second gift is the Gift of Understanding, which enables one to see more deeply into the mysteries of faith. This gift is the fruit of love. It moves our understanding from head to heart and opens our eyes to the wonder of the organic unity of all truths. 

For example, in reading Matthew 12:46-50, one’s heart swells and sees beyond the veil: 

Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.” But he said in reply to the one who told him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother.” 

Instead of hearing the rejection of Mary, one can see and hear how she is being exalted beyond all. Likewise, in meditating on the Incarnation, one can retrace God’s loving plan of salvation from Genesis to Revelation.  

May we pray for an increase in the gift of understanding to see God’s infinite love for us entirely.