Historia De Un Amor

“Do not hesitate to love and to love deeply. The more you have loved and have allowed yourself to suffer because of your love, the more you will be able to let your heart grow wider and deeper.” – Henri Nouwen

I spent the second half of today with Manny “Mao” Uy SJ, a close friend and Jesuit priest whom I have not seen for 8 years. We were solicited by three mariachis at dinner and Mao requested that they sing the song above, “History of a Love.” Mao shared that the song has much meaning for his family: it was the love song of his parents; his father sang it to his mother on his death-bed; their love shapes the entire family significantly.

I was struck by Mao’s simple sharing, by the song’s poetic verses and its haunting melody. (Click here for lyrics and translation). What if we allow God’s unspeakable love to be revealed through passionate yet incomplete human love? The chapters of my life I am reflecting these days can be considered my “history of a love” – the many loving relationships of my life bear the imprints of God’s love for me. My eyes glistened with tears as gratitude sweeps over me … at the thought of the many wonderful people God has placed in my life of ministry … at the thought of my friendship with Mao … at thought of Caritas - Tình Chúa qua tình người.

Listen to the song and think of the people who are signs of God’s love in your life … major characters in your own “History of a Love”…

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows: one who loves much, suffers much, yet magnifies & testifies to Love deeply.