Perfect Love

It is man's ultimate hunger to know perfect love. He seeks this always, from the first to the last day of his life. All men share this seeking, though their paths may differ widely and their responses to their experiences may be equally disparate.

It is difficult to look at all the various life experiences that man knows and see in them this common goal, this universal need. There are those whose lives are marked by violence and brutality, whom it is easy to dismiss as bestial, unworthy of their human identity. Yet how is one to be sure that even these hardened hearts do not seek to be softened by the love that has eluded them and has caused them to actions detestable to their peers?

There are countless examples throughout history and countless examples to the present day of souls gone badly astray, of heinous acts and supreme indifference to the common good, who have found it within themselves to recognize error and to reach out for forgiveness and love. It is joyful when one of these erring souls returns to a life of love given and received.

All too often the humans who defy the rules that regulate society and indulge in acts of violence and disregard for others are regarded as creatures incapable of love and therefore not worthy to be regarded as worthy members of the human race. Often these unfortunate souls even while in the midst of violence retain affection for those bound to them in family ties. They reject the mores of society and fail in love complete, but are not totally loveless. They depend upon the love of those they hold dear and they offer love in response.

Society finds it difficult to deal with such seeming contradiction in the nature of the man who defies society and engages in behavior detrimental to the common good. All too often the punishment inflicted ignores his absolute need for love received and ignores his desire to express his love for those he holds dear.

The world awaits the day when man's hunger for love will be so completely satisfied that unloving behavior of any kind will cease to be. This is devoutly to be wished, but it is always within the grasp of all caring societies.