Eyes of Love

“And if I asked you about love you would probably quote me a sonnet, but you’ve never looked at a woman and been truly vulnerable. Known someone that could level you with her eyes.”

This is my favorite quote from the film Good Will Hunting. There are plenty ways of “looking at people.” We look at people all the time, but do we really see the entire gift that they are? The truth of the matter is that the way we look at each other communicates a lot.

I can confidently say that I have seen the eyes of love before. I have seen them in the passionate gaze between a couple in love. I have seen them between two great friends who are looking out for each other. I have even seen the eyes of love amidst great suffering, and in the loving gaze between two saints like Saint John Paul II and Saint Theresa of Calcutta. So, how do we know when we see the eyes of love? How do we go about looking at other people with such intention?

1. Recognize Beauty. Beauty will save the world. We know that someone is beautiful when we see them for who they authentically are, and we are still left astonished at sheer thought of them. Once we recognize beauty in our daily lives, whether that be in art, music, dance, or the people around us, and we revere such beauty for all that it is, we then can go about responding. There is truly nothing more attractive than holiness. Spend time gazing at our Savior in the Eucharist with the eyes of love. The truth is that God is gazing right back at you with merciful love.
2. Experience wonder. Beauty is meant stir us to wonder. It is a mystery how one small act of love, like a gaze can captivate us. In the Song of Songs:  “You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one glance of your eyes.” (4:9). A simple gaze overcome his heart. The eyes of love stir us to wonder about the entire mystery of love. Let’s pray that we never lose our wonder
3. Behold love. To remain hopeful, we must witness love. When we see the eyes of love between a couple in love or between family members who deeply care about each other, let’s rejoice! Remembering that we just witnessed a small act of love that is so natural. When we begin to discover love in our lives, let’s look for it in abundance. Saint John of the Cross said, “Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love.” There is seeing another and then there is beholding them! The difference is subtle, but it rests in intention. Let’s try seeing love in our life like we’ve never seen it before. Let’s gaze upon those we love with compassion and acceptance. We will never cease to be amazed by them.