Comments on: The three credits of love

By: Roberts Liardon

Roberts Liardon — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:15:06 +0000

It’s good to read your website again; I see some interesting updates here.

By: Of blogs and bishops « Divine Life – A Blog by Eric Sammons

Of blogs and bishops « Divine Life – A Blog by Eric Sammons — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:50:08 +0000

[...] bishop is just making a difficult prudential judgement in a particular case. I once wrote about the Three Credits of Love, and if anyone deserves the three credits, it is the successors to the [...]

By: Is God Love, or Is Love God? - Sacred Wandering

Is God Love, or Is Love God? - Sacred Wandering — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:53:58 +0000

[...] The three credits of love (ericsammons.com) [...]

By: ann

ann — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:35:45 +0000

I’ve been reading a bit into Von Hildebrand and find his work incredibly interesting. I understand this is not exactly what your article is addressing in VH’s exploration of love, but what I find most intriguing about his work is that he approaches it fundamentally as a value response. We love because we recognize the inherent value God placed in each of us. We love our spouse to a fuller extent because we have a fuller understanding of the individual value and dignity God had placed in the beloved. By learning the extent of how much we can love with our spouse, it makes it easier to recognize the inherent value, and thus love our neighbors and even our enemies.
It is all very interesting.

By: Tim H.

Tim H. — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:53:38 +0000

Excellent post. Thank you.

Dietrich von Hildebrand’s “Faith, Hope, Solidarity” seem to focus on our feelings; what we believe about them, what we asusme and how we interepret their actions.

As Catholics, we know that Christ commands us to act, rather than just to feel and it is that practical application of the command to love that really matters.

Sometimes walking away and letting a person hit rock bottom is the most loving response for a family member while being kind and trying to befriend someone who is trying to harm us in some way is the most loving response.

I’d join an Evangelical Church if it were as easy as how we feel.

-Tim-

By: Eric Sammons

Eric Sammons — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:32:59 +0000

Kathy,

Think about what you would do if someone you truly loved did something you knew to be seriously wrong. First, you would assume that it was done with good intentions or out of ignorance. If you found that was not true, then you would assume that they were poorly formed or some other reason led them to this point. None of this would excuse their actions, nor would it keep you from grieving over those actions, but it would allow you to see their actions in a more loving light and place their well-being over any other consideration.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:57:59 +0000

So, if you are aware a person did something seriously wrong, just what is the “highest interpretation of their actions” ??

Twas a long week, Eric. So glad you’re back from Ohio or wherever.

By: Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:17:20 +0000

First, Eric, I’m glad you’re back to blogging! I missed reading your posts. Second, this post is a good reminder. My parents, especially my father, and my teachers insisted upon using the highest interpretation of another’s actions. That is, assuming the best of the other. We seem to have lost that approach to others in today’s world. It would be good to reclaim that attitude.