Love one another with mutual affection

“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” (ROM 12: 9-12)

St. Paul speaks today, on the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, like he is saying a litany: every short sentence brings more and more understanding for what love really is. From the negative—“hate what is evil” to the positive—“love one another with mutual affection,” he describes perfectly how Our Lady, the Mother of God, put love into practice.

“Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Gospel Acclamation)