Do We Owe Each Other Love? | Providence Podcast Episode 6.3

Do we really owe each other love?

Paul’s words in Romans stopped me in my tracks this week: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” I usually think of love as a gift we freely give, not an obligation. So what does it mean to say that we owe love to one another?

In this episode of the Providence Podcast, we explore what it means to love—not simply as a feeling, but as a willingness to seek the good of another person. We’ll look at the connection between love, conflict, reconciliation, and community in the readings from Romans and Matthew, and consider what it means to love someone even when we don’t particularly like them or feel very loving toward them.

And what about loving ourselves? Loving our neighbors doesn’t mean becoming a doormat. Real love includes compassion and care for ourselves, too.

The Sisters of Divine Providence invite you to reflect on what it means to love in the messy, complicated reality of everyday relationships—and to notice Christ present among us whenever we gather in love.

For reflection:

• How have you dealt with conflict in your relationships? What helps you continue to love the person during those times?

• How is God with you when you’re struggling through conflict?

• How do you love others when you’re at your best?

• What resonates with you in this reflection? What might God be inviting you toward?

The Providence Podcast offers weekly reflections on faith, Scripture, spirituality, and real life from the Sisters of Divine Providence of Kentucky.