Jesus Himself Taught Us the 5 Love Languages

 
 
              National Marriage Week, World Marriage Day, and Valentine’s Day are behind us. The cards may still be on the kitchen table. The candy is gone and perhaps the flowers still look good. Last weekend fifteen married couples, a few with almost 60 years of experience, joined in our marriage enrichment evening.  We want to share some of the groups’ experience with you, reflecting on the book The 5 Love Languages, written by Dr. Garry Chapman.

              We know “God so loved the world” (Jn 3:16)- all of us– that He sent His Son Jesus who became one of us. To be with us and share the Father’s love. To offer us eternal life with Him.  “As the Father loves me, so I have loved you” (Jn 15:9). God himself desires a relationship with us as we desire relationship with Him and others. Jesus showed us through His life how he spoke the 5 Love Languages and He is the perfect model for us to follow. The gifts and talents of ordinary people were able to make the observations that God Himself revealed. In the context of marriage enrichment, we summarized the evening by adding to the program the love that Jesus showed us on earth, led by Fr Joe. It’s a great jumping off point to share with you the idea of the 5 Love Languages as Jesus showed them to his disciples and to us.

              It’s by Jesus’ own words of affirmation, that we are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Mt 5:13, 14), that we are called to share this experience with many more than those who attended that evening with us, as even Dr. Chapman hoped for. Always called to share good news and lift others up. Blessed indeed by our Lord’s great love for us (Lk 6:20-22).

              Our Lord has given us many gifts. We receive His holy Word and the grace in every Sacrament. He gives us His Spirit in Baptism and Confirmation and Himself in the Eucharist. And in His mercy, He offers us eternal life.

              When on earth Jesus spent quality time with His disciples teaching them in private (Mt 13:36), eating with tax collectors and sinners. He desires us to remain and keep watch with Him (Mt 26:38), as we can before the Tabernacle or the Blessed Sacrament Exposed during a Holy Hour.

                             Jesus blesses the children by laying hands (touch) on them to bless them (Mt 19:13) and helped Thomas believe He was not seeing a ghost but the risen Lord Himself by offering that Thomas touch the nail marks and put his hand into His side (Jn 20:27).

              At the Last Supper when He instituted the Priesthood of the Church, He washed His disciples’ feet (Jn 13).  An example of an act of service with Humility not by authority, even though He is the creator of the universe.  He took our sins to the cross and offered himself for our sake (Jn 19:17).

              Our Lord gave us many more examples of the 5 Love Languages. Each one of us, man, woman and child speak and understand one of these love languages as our primary love language.  Some may even have two that are equally meaningful. 


              We understand our native tongue well and may have difficulty communicating with someone who does not speak the same language as we do. We desire to be understood. The same is true if we do not communicate love in the language of the one whom we hope receives our love.  We desire to be loved. 

              Learning a second spoken language is not always easy and neither is learning a new love language. However, the act of love is greater if we do it, even though it may be difficult for us to do so.

              As Lent begins this week we are reminded that along with the sacrifice of giving up something we like, we can also do something which may not come natural or be easy for us, which itself is a sacrifice.  Our work on earth is to know God’s love, to share it so can remain with Him forever. We do that when we become like Christ to one another. He has shown us The Way. 

Blessed Lent
Deacon Joe & The PWC Marriage Ministry team