I felt like commenting, albeit briefly, upon the quote, "No greater love is there than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Why is this the greatest demonstration of love possible?
In short, it is greatest because it requires everything the demonstrator possesses to be given for the demonstrated. It's laying everything on the line for the other. It is a complete giving of self for the sake of the other, regardless of what the other thinks. It is the highest form of selflessness, one could even say, the final form of selflessness, because, once given, if accepted, it cannot be given again. Whatever happens afterwards, the giver has given everything for the recipient.
We are not frequently called to levels of selflessness anywhere near this. In fact, many of us may never be called to this level. But we are still responsible for living our lives with the end in mind- the end of love, love for each and every person we meet. This is a much longer road most of us are called to, but no less important, for it is in the everyday living that we are purified. And besides- one dies as one has lived. If one wants to be able, if called, to lay it all on the line for another, then one must live in such a way as to facilitate that.
God love you.
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