During the political and social unrest of the late 1960s marked by the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, the song “What the World Needs Now Is Love” resonated deeply, reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a symbol of hope reminding people of the power of love to unite and heal.
Fast forward to 2025, and its timeless message of love and unity feels more relevant than ever. Just look at the world around us: terrorist attacks in crowded streets in Germany and New Orleans, a Tesla Cybertruck rigged with explosives in Las Vegas, hundreds of mass shootings in the U.S., the rise of religious hatred, and devastating wars in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and helpless in such chaos. Especially if we are not in a position of authority or influence. What can we do in the face of so much division and pain?
The simple and most profound answer is love. Not just any love, but Christian love. It’s the kind of love that transformed history, reversing the brutality of the Roman Empire and two centuries of human sacrifices by the Aztecs. It’s a love that reaches beyond feelings and into concrete action.
What Is Christian Love?
Love is one of those words we use freely without much thought. But Christian love is distinct. It’s self-sacrificial, unconditional, universal, and eternal. It flows from God’s love and seeks the highest good for others without guaranteeing a return.
Contrast that with earthly love, which often depends on how others act toward us. It’s selective, emotional, and focused on personal gain. Earthly love fades when times get tough; Christian love, however, endures, providing a stable anchor of reassurance and comfort in difficult times.
Love as a Verb: What You Can Do
Christian love might seem lofty, but it’s very practical. Love isn’t just a feeling. It’s something you do. Here are three simple ways to practice it every day:
- Speak Life: Share kind, genuine words of affirmation, gratitude, or encouragement. If you can’t think of anything positive to say, stay silent. Your words have the power to build bridges—or burn them. Choose wisely.
- Show Compassion Through Action: Help someone in need, even if you feel they don’t “deserve” it. Small acts of kindness, like helping a neighbor or lending a hand to a stranger, can break down walls of judgment and prejudice.
- Be Present: Give people your undivided attention, even just for two minutes. Your genuine presence communicates love and demonstrates the value of another more powerfully than hours of distracted interaction.
Love’s Ripple Effect
I can’t fix the world’s problems—that’s God’s job—but I can do my part in my relationships, whether they’re with loved ones, coworkers, or strangers. My job is to leave this world a little better than I found it. And I can do this daily by actively choosing and demonstrating love over hate, kindness over indifference, and compassion over judgment.
It might seem small, but Christian love has a huge ripple effect. Over time, it can transform hearts, communities, and even societies. You might be skeptical, but history proves that the love of Jesus Christ is the greatest power on Earth. Just ask a Roman soldier or an Aztec god.
Your Turn
So, what about you? How will you choose to show this transformative love today in a world that desperately needs hope and healing? It might not feel like much, but real love changes everything. You could start by offering a kind word to a family member whom we so often take for granted, volunteering at a local charity, or simply being present for a friend in need.
Together, we can make a difference. One kind word, one small action, one moment of genuine presence at a time. Please take a step today, no matter how small, towards showing love to those you care about and those you don’t even know.
What the world needs now is your love. It starts with you.
The Radical Catholic 
Leave a comment