{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"MFP 366: God is Love","description":"&quot;Love of neighbor is a path that leads to the encounter with God\u2026 closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God.&quot; - Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love &amp;nbsp; Summary We begin with Love because marriage flows from our deepest identity and relationships, not just spousal dynamics. Created in the image of a loving, Triune God, we must first ask who God is and who we are in His eyes. Our relationship with God and with ourselves forms the foundation for loving others. Pope Benedict XVI\u2019s God Is Love reveals that eros and agape are inseparable dimensions of love: we are made to give and receive love. God\u2019s passionate, faithful love for His people\u2014fulfilled fully in Jesus\u2014becomes the model for marriage. In Christ, love of God and love of neighbor are one reality. Our first neighbor is our spouse, and loving them faithfully is the primary path to holiness and authentic love. Key Takeaways   Love begins with God, not marriage Before focusing on spousal relationships, we must understand who God is and who we are in His eyes. Our identity as loved by God is the foundation for all love.    You cannot love others without loving God and yourself rightly Knowing and receiving God\u2019s love allows us to love ourselves truthfully, which is necessary to love anyone else authentically.    Eros and agape belong together Human desire (eros) is not bad; it is purified and fulfilled by God\u2019s unconditional love (agape). Love requires both giving and receiving.    God\u2019s passionate love is revealed fully in Jesus Christ embodies God\u2019s self-giving love and draws us into communion\u2014with God and with others\u2014especially through the Eucharist.    Marriage is the primary place love is lived Spouses are each other\u2019s first neighbors. Loving one\u2019s spouse faithfully is the clearest expression of love of God and the path to holiness.   &amp;nbsp; Resources: Pdf of encyclical:&amp;nbsp;  https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/benedict-xvi\/en\/encyclicals\/documents\/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20051225_deus-caritas-est.html  Join the Cana90 Fellowship:&amp;nbsp; https:\/\/messyfamilyproject.org\/programs\/cana90\/fellowship-form\/ ","author_name":"Messy Family Podcast : Catholic Conversations on Marriage and Family","author_url":"https:\/\/www.MessyFamilyProject.org","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39871840\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/39871840"}