A soul filled with thoughts of sensual desire and hatred is unpurified. If we detect any trace of hatred in our hearts against any man whatsoever for committing any fault, we are utterly estranged from love for God, since love for God absolutely precludes us from hating any man. (Maximos the Confessor)

God is love. We cannot be of God without fully participating in love.

This is not sentimentality. This is a rigorous valuing of ourselves, others, and God.

Love is seeing ourselves in the other. Love is seeing God in the other; even - especially - when the other is behaving hatefully. Even when we behave hatefully.

Love does not enable the hateful behavior. But love distinguishes between present behavior and essential being.

Love is an alchemy revealing what is precious. God is the alchemist.