Sometimes we find ourselves in a bind. We feel like we’re being selfish when we spend more time with certain friends and ignore others we don’t like as much.
Christ calls us to love everyone, even our enemies and those who irk us. But does that mean you need to love everyone to the same degree?
No. Here’s why.
There is an ordo amoris.
Ordo amoris (“order of love”) means there is a ranking among those who have a claim on your heart. This order is as old as creation itself.
It is based on likeness and union. A principle of love is likeness. In order to love a thing, you have to recognize it as somehow like you, pertaining to you, or applying to you. If it’s not like you in any way, it wouldn’t attract you.