Love is both a gift and a task from "summary" of Love Alone by Hans Urs Von Balthasar
Love, as the ultimate reality and the ground of all being, is both a gift and a task. It is a gift because it is freely given to us by God, who is love itself. This gift of love is poured out upon us without reserve, without conditions. It is a gift that we cannot earn or deserve, for it flows from the very heart of God, who is pure love. At the same time, love is also a task that we are called to undertake. It is not enough for us to passively receive God's love; we are also called to actively participate in it. This task of love requires us to respond to God's love with love of our own. It demands that we open our hearts to God's love and allow it to transform us from within. This task of love is not always easy. It requires us to set aside our own selfish desires and to put the needs of others before our own. It calls us to love even when it is difficult, even when we feel hurt or rejected. It challenges us to love our enemies and to forgive those who have wronged us. This task of love is a lifelong journey, a journey that requires us to constantly strive to become more like Christ, who is the perfect embodiment of love.- Love is both a gift and a task. It is a gift that is freely given to us by God, a gift that we can never fully comprehend or repay. And it is a task that we are called to undertake, a task that demands our wholehearted commitment and dedication. Love is the very essence of our existence, the purpose for which we were created. It is the wellspring from which all our actions flow, the guiding principle that shapes our lives. Love alone can truly satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and bring us into communion with God and with one another.
