A kiss, a smile a cup of tea – a love that’s revolutionary

IT got little coverage, but, for me, the highlight of the Pope’s visit was that wonderful moment when, in the Pro Cathedral, he called for a revolution of love. Only a spiritual leader with global stature could stand before the nations and appeal for such a revolution. Politicians don’t do love, which is why the world hungers for those who do.

At a time of such scepticism and cynicism, we need people who dwell in this world but are not quite of it. We need people who touch the spirit, who inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. We need them because human life is much more than the sum of our misery.

Love: a much-abused word, but one that has the power to heal like no other. I have often written that it is our greatest trait, for, when love flows, it produces miracles. And, when it dries up, we are left with nothing but our tears.

How, then, can we start a revolution of love? And what would such a revolution look like in practice?

Look to the left, and now to the right. Look, and you will see countless opportunities to love. It may be only a smile or a touch, but once it is motivated by love it has the potential to transform a life.

The loved ones we so often take for granted, offer us our best opportunity to ignite the gentle flames of love. The small act of kindness for your spouse will not make the history books. It will, however, make her day.

And what more could you ask for than making someone’s day? With one act of tenderness, you have the capacity to change the course of time. A day that was destined in one direction suddenly swings off in another thanks to a kiss, a cup of tea or a chat which solved some pressing problem.

Love will always make someone’s day because the alternative may well be a day of pain. How it unfolds depends on what you say and what you do. Say something harsh and that day is destroyed; speak words of love and it will be a day of delight.

If love fulfils us as human beings, it is because it gives us the power to change the course of people’s lives. There is only one medicine for a child in distress and that is love. There is only one remedy for loneliness, sorrow and affliction, and that, too, is love.

So many people live their lives harbouring resentment against others. A loose word here, a misguided action there, and the result is often a lifetime of bitterness. The miracle is that love can lift it all in a matter of seconds.

The sincerely expressed apology, and the cry for clemency, can, quite literally, lift the burden of the ages. With one embrace, we can be rescued from the weight of our memories. We can be set free from our fears to start afresh.

A revolution of love can only begin when we forgive, trust and express tenderness to everyone. We are all gripped by so much suspicion of others. And yet, the truth is that most people are just doing their best to deal with their problems, pains and sufferings.

To notice other people is the first great step towards noticing the details of their problems. Until we actually look and listen – really listen – to people, we can never truly help them. In listening to someone, we allow that person to find relief from their pain.

THAT is why the simple act of listening is an offering of love. You see, you don’t have to engage in heroics to be a revolutionary of love. It involves nothing more than being there for people when they need you most.

If there were a slogan for this revolution, it might be: ‘Listen, look, learn’. We can only learn to love when we are prepared to stop, look and listen. For then, the most astonishing thing happens: you give a person the prospect of a new life.

To look deeply into a person’s soul, to listen to their story, is to wash away the poison of the past. It is to clear the mists of time so that they can see a bright future. It is to take a broken heart and anoint it with love.

Then it happens: a life that was lost is reborn in joy.

And all because you found a way to make their day.