It's Worth It

“Is love worth the hurt and pain and bearing that heavy cross, or is it better to never love at all to save yourself from that hurt?”
That was what Father Tom asked us in his homily a few nights ago. I love readings and homilies like this, when they just draw me in because I can fully relate, or something they say stumps or intrigues me. I remember when I used to ask myself that question all the time; indeed, I have done so recently, too. I don’t like to feel vulnerable; I never did. And I never was sure if it would be worth it on some levels of my life. But if I’ve gathered anything from my observations and feelings lately, these past few weeks, it would be that on any and all levels, it’s definitely worth it. We’ll lose what and who we love sometimes, but it’s better to have known the joy that came with their company than to have never experienced that bond at all. That’s something I refused to believe just yesterday, this morning, even. I almost feel like a hippie, embracing this idea that you should love as many people as you can. But I know that it’s true and I want to follow it.