For every Consecrated religious person the month of February is special. It is a reminder of one’s total commitment to God, to his people and to creation. February 2nd is the feast of the Presentation and the world day for Consecrated Life. It is celebrated with abundant hope as a gift from God for our world and a radical way of filling the world with love, returning love for hate, indifference and rejection.
But February is also special for another reason – it is Healthy Relationships Month. In some countries, particularly in the US, it is celebrated as National Healthy Relationships Month. This month is dedicated to promoting healthy relationships and educating individuals on how to create and maintain them.
As Christians, we are called to love in a way that is both self-giving and unifying, which is known as Agapic love. This type of love is characterized by selflessness, generosity, and a willingness to put the needs of others before our own. It is a love that seeks the good of the other and is not motivated by personal gain or selfish desires. But love also has a creative aspect, known as Eros. Eros is the passion and desire that drives us to create and bring new life into the world. It is the aspect of love that inspires us to pursue our passions and dreams, to explore new possibilities and to seek out new experiences.
These two aspects of Christian love – Agape and Eros – are depicted in the articles of the February issue of our magazine, “Magnet”. Both the Agapic and Eros aspects of love call for a prophetic engagement in addressing the injustices and suffering of marginalized communities, such as those affected by issues like human trafficking, systemic violence and other forms of exploitation. There are articles that discuss the importance of communication, compliance and compassion in maintaining healthy relationships. The articles on Wholeness, Life as a Gift, and Defining Moments talk about the importance of spiritual care in relationships. They emphasize how taking care of our spiritual and psychological needs are essential for being able to give and receive love in a healthy way. They also stress that care is not just about physical well-being, but also about emotional and spiritual well-being. They highlight how effective communication is the key to understanding and resolving conflicts, building trust and intimacy, and creating a sense of connection and belonging. The articles also show that the Christian understanding of love is not just about the romantic and emotional aspects, but also about the practical and everyday aspects of relationships. As Christians and as Religious we are called to love in a way that is both self-giving and unifying, which is known as Agapic love, and also to love with compassion and warmth, which is known as Eros.
In addition, the cover stories of this issue provide an in-depth look at the topic of midlife through the personal experiences of rural men and women navigating the complexities of menopause, as well as the inspiring success story of a Catholic nun who joyfully shares her journey. It provides guidance, inspiration and encouragement to embrace this stage of life with positivity and hope.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our readers for their continued support. We appreciate the feedback we have received from many of you through letters to the editor, commenting on the quality of our articles and the value they provide. Your comments and suggestions help us to continue to improve and provide relevant and engaging content for our readers. I would also like to thank our editorial team for their hard work and dedication in producing each issue of the magazine. Their commitment to providing our readers with valuable and insightful content is truly appreciated.
We encourage our readers to continue to write to the editorial team with your feedback, suggestions, and ideas for future articles. Your input is essential to the success of the magazine and helps us to ensure that we are meeting the needs and interests of our readers. Once again, thank you for your support, and we look forward to continue providing you with informative and engaging content in the coming months.
Wishing each of you a happy feast.
Pushpa Joseph
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