Love is mirrored in beauty, harmony, and service in the world.
14. Innocence reflects pure love —
“...expressed in a baby's smile; in the hope, the light, the seeking, the manifestation of that which is love undefiled.” 262-45
A Baby’s Smile as a Symbol of Pure Love
The reading uses the image of a baby’s smile — innocent, genuine, and free of self-interest — to illustrate what love looks like in its purest form.
Such love is spontaneous, uncalculated, and full of trust.
Love as Hope and Light
Innocence carries hope — the expectation of good, free from cynicism.
It shines with light, suggesting clarity, warmth, and divine presence.
This “undefiled love” has not yet been corrupted by selfishness, pride, or fear.
The Quality of Seeking
The reading says innocence is also seen in “the seeking.”
A childlike spirit is curious, open, always reaching for connection and understanding.
In the same way, pure love is never stagnant; it seeks out ways to give, to grow, and to unite.
Why Innocence Reveals Divine Love
Innocence shows us love as God created it — unspoiled, free, radiant.
In Jesus’ teaching: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This doesn’t mean being naïve, but recovering the simplicity and purity of love without ulterior motives.
Practical Application
Approach others without suspicion or calculation, but with openness and kindness.
Cultivate a sense of wonder and gratitude for simple joys — smiles, beauty, small blessings.
Strive to remove bitterness, resentment, or selfishness that corrupts love, returning to a heart “undefiled.”
In summary:
Innocence — like a baby’s smile — reflects pure, undefiled love. It is hope-filled, light-bearing, and always seeking. To embody such innocence is to rediscover love in its truest form, as God intended.
15. Nature glorifies love —
“...see it in the rose, as it seeks - with that it has to do with - to make manifest that beauty in expression that may GLORIFY its Maker.” 262-45
The Rose as a Symbol of Love
The rose is used here as an example of how creation reveals divine love.
It doesn’t strive beyond what it is — it simply becomes fully itself, unfolding its beauty.
In doing so, it glorifies its Maker without words, just by being what it was created to be.
Love as Beauty in Expression
The rose’s beauty is an outward expression of inward order, harmony, and purpose.
This beauty points beyond itself — to God, who is the source of all love and beauty.
Nature silently witnesses to love by reflecting harmony, design, and generosity.
Glorifying the Creator
The rose doesn’t bloom for itself; its beauty gives glory to God.
Likewise, when humans live out their true nature in love, their lives become expressions of divine glory.
Just as the rose reveals God’s artistry, our love-filled actions reveal His character.
Practical Lesson for Us
Like the rose, we glorify God not by striving to be something else, but by fully expressing the love and gifts already placed within us.
Daily acts of kindness, beauty, and truth are ways of “blooming” in God’s garden.
By manifesting love in our lives, we become living expressions of His glory.
In summary:
Nature glorifies love by revealing God’s beauty and purpose in its very being. The rose blooms not for itself but for its Maker — and in the same way, when we express love in our daily lives, we glorify God and become living witnesses of His love.
16. Music embodies love —
“...the beauty of a song, in the harmony that shows forth in the expression of the soul within; whether in instruments or the soul raised in praise to the Giver of light. ” 262-45
Music as Expression of the Soul
The reading describes music as the soul speaking outwardly.
A song, whether sung or played, reveals what is within — joy, longing, hope, devotion.
When love is in the heart, music becomes a pure expression of that love.
Harmony as a Reflection of Love
Harmony is the blending of different tones into one beautiful whole.
This mirrors love, which unites differences into unity without losing uniqueness.
Just as harmony requires listening and balance, love requires patience, respect, and the willingness to fit together with others.
Music as Praise to God
The reading mentions the soul “raised in praise to the Giver of light.”
Music becomes love when it is directed toward God in gratitude and worship.
This turns music into a spiritual act — a channel of divine connection, not just entertainment.
The Universality of Music and Love
Music crosses barriers of language and culture, just as love does.
Both touch the spirit directly, beyond logic or reason.
This makes music a powerful witness to love’s universality.
Practical Application
Let music be part of your spiritual practice — hymns, chants, or songs that lift your heart toward God.
Notice harmony not only in sound but in relationships — seek to “make harmony” in your dealings with others.
Use music as a reminder that the soul longs to express love, both human and divine.
In summary:
Music embodies love because it is the soul’s natural expression in harmony, beauty, and praise. When directed toward God, music becomes an act of love that unites people and reflects the eternal harmony of the Spirit.
17. Love in duty —
“the expressions of the duty that may be the lot of one that, without thought of self, shows forth in the acts of life that first thought of the duty from a material standpoint, yet the LOVE made manifest from wholly showing forth His life, His love, till He come again!” 262-45
Duty as a Calling
Everyone has responsibilities — family, work, community, obligations of daily living.
At first glance, these may seem purely material duties, without deep spiritual meaning.
Yet the reading says even these can become channels of love.
The Role of Selflessness
The key phrase is “without thought of self.”
Duty done grudgingly or for recognition becomes a burden.
But duty embraced with selfless love transforms ordinary acts into sacred service.
Duty as Manifesting Christ’s Love
When duties are carried out in the spirit of love, they show forth His life, His love.
This means every act — caring for a child, doing honest work, tending to small responsibilities — becomes a witness of Christ’s presence.
In this way, love in duty prepares the soul to live in constant expectation of His return: “till He come again.”
Love Elevates Duty
From a purely material view, duty can feel routine or draining.
But when infused with love, duty becomes an offering — a way of glorifying God through faithfulness in small things.
Love transforms obligation into joy, service into worship, labor into devotion.
Practical Application
Begin each day by dedicating your duties — however small — to God.
Approach responsibilities not as chores but as opportunities to express love.
Remind yourself: “This is not only my duty — it is my chance to show forth His life through me.”
In summary:
Love in duty means performing responsibilities with selflessness and devotion, transforming ordinary tasks into acts of sacred service. In this way, life itself becomes a testimony of Christ’s love, lived faithfully “till He come again.”
18. Love in small tasks —
“...in whatever the hands find to do, that done well, in all phases of one's experience, that lends self in the daily walks of life, doing the best with that which presents itself, in the glorying of the expressions, "As ye do it unto the least of these, my little ones, ye do it unto me."” 262-45
Holiness in the Ordinary
The passage affirms that anything the hands find to do — even the simplest, most routine tasks — can carry love.
Love is not measured by the size of the task but by the spirit in which it is done.
Daily chores, work duties, and acts of service can all be offerings of love.
Doing All Things Well
Love shows itself not only in what we do, but in how we do it.
“Done well” means carried out with care, respect, and sincerity.
Even unseen or unrecognized work becomes sacred when done with love.
Self-Giving in Daily Walks
The phrase “that lends self in the daily walks of life” highlights that true love requires the giving of oneself, not just the performance of a duty.
This means bringing our full heart to small tasks — not rushing, resenting, or doing the bare minimum, but offering ourselves fully in love.
Serving Christ in the “Least of These”
The quotation from Jesus, “As ye do it unto the least of these, my little ones, ye do it unto me,” ties every small act of kindness directly to Christ.
Helping a child, showing courtesy to a stranger, or supporting someone unnoticed is, in truth, serving Christ Himself.
Thus, no act of love is wasted; all find eternal meaning.
Practical Application
Approach small tasks (washing dishes, writing notes, helping a neighbor) with as much care as great ones.
See Christ in those you serve, especially the unnoticed or marginalized.
Remind yourself daily: “Nothing is too small to be filled with love.”
In summary:
Love in small tasks means doing every action — however ordinary — with care, sincerity, and self-giving, as if done directly for Christ. This transforms daily life into a continuous act of worship and service.
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