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By Fr. Roy Cimagala
Chaplain
Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)
Talamban, Cebu City
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
WE cannot deny that our earthly life is marked by many limitations. We grow gradually from childhood to maturity, learning little by little what real love means. Our capacity to love develops through time, experience, and God's grace.
Our sins also leave their mark on us. They can distort our understanding of love and make us think first of ourselves. Because of them, loving generously does not come easily.
Yet God never leaves us alone. His grace is always available to lift us beyond our natural weaknesses and sinful tendencies. If we cooperate with that grace, we can love far more than we imagine.
That is why we should never be afraid to give ourselves generously. As long as we refuse to say, "Enough," God supplies what we cannot provide ourselves. His strength fills the gaps left by our weakness.
This is the lesson behind the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. (Cf. Mt 15:29-37) When the disciples saw only scarcity, Christ saw an opportunity to bless. The little they offered became more than enough in his hands.
The same can happen in our own life. We may feel that we have reached the end of our strength, patience, or resources. But when we bring everything to Christ, he always knows how to provide.
This truth is especially important today. The challenges we face are not only numerous but also increasingly complex. Many problems seem beyond our ability to solve.
Instead of becoming discouraged, we should deepen our faith. Nothing is impossible for God, and he continues to work through those who trust him. His power can accomplish what our efforts alone never could.
True love, therefore, never settles for the minimum. It does not keep count of sacrifices or calculate the cost of giving. It continues to serve because it has first received God's love.
To many people, this may seem unreasonable. The world encourages us to protect ourselves and avoid giving too much. Christ teaches the opposite: love grows by giving itself away.
Real charity is not measured by convenience. It is measured by generosity, perseverance, and fidelity. It remains faithful even when there is no appreciation or reward.
In fact, authentic love continues even when it is rejected. It does not depend on being accepted, praised, or repaid. It reflects the unconditional love that God has shown us.
We see this most clearly in Christ himself. He loved those who welcomed him and those who rejected him. Even on the Cross, he continued to forgive and to love.
By ourselves, we cannot reach this level of self-giving. Our human strength is limited, and sooner or later it becomes exhausted. Only God's grace can sustain such generous love.
The more closely we are united with Christ, the more capable we become of loving.
His grace strengthens our mind, our heart, and our will. It enables us to go beyond what seems naturally possible.
We will still experience weakness and fatigue. Our bodies, emotions, and minds all have their limits. Yet our spirit can continue to give because Christ lives within us.
This is the great exchange of the Christian life. We offer God our limitations, and he shares with us his strength. We entrust him with our poverty, and he fills us with his grace.
That is how we can go "unli" in love. Not because we have unlimited strength, but because God's love has no limits. United with Christ, we can keep giving ourselves without ever saying, "Enough."
