Novena Day 6: Love of Others

Our frontliners – health professionals, caregivers, those who provide for our basic services – are not simply fulfilling their jobs; we see something more. They make us see something greater beyond the task: it’s their compassionate love for ‘others’ even at the risk of their lives. They allow themselves to be vulnerable. And does not loving make us vulnerable? Dr. Brene Brown even said, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love.” Every day, they choose something other than the self, they choose to love beyond themselves, and their love is shown concretely through their actions. Because love in deed is love, indeed.

We read of a recent story about one critical Covid patient in Sta. Ana Hospital who couldn’t be joined by his family on his birthday. His nurses stayed beyond their duty hours to celebrate his birthday as would do his family. What does loving “others” look like for me in this pandemic? Who are the others in my life that somehow need to be shown love?

Let us join Saint Thérèse in today’s novena and ask God for the grace to go beyond ourselves and go deeper into God’s call to turn from our self-interest and turn to the needs of others