A Lover of Goodness: Loving What Reflects the Heart of God
"Rather, he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness..."
—Titus 1:8
If you're like me, you've probably heard a lot of talk in the Church about avoiding evil. We’re taught to resist temptation, to guard our hearts, to flee from sin—and rightly so.
But in this short phrase from Paul, we’re reminded that spiritual maturity isn’t just about what we reject—it’s also about what we delight in.
Leaders in the Church, Paul says, should be known as lovers of what is good.
What Does “Lover of Goodness” Mean?
The Greek word Paul uses is φιλάγαθος (philagathos), which literally means:
“friend of what is good” or “loving what is noble, virtuous, or life-giving.”
It’s a posture of the heart—someone who naturally celebrates what reflects the beauty, truth, and goodness of God. Not someone who merely tolerates goodness or praises it when convenient, but someone who genuinely loves it.
This touches everything:
The way a leader treats others
The art and stories they enjoy
The relationships they invest in
The habits they cultivate in private
Why This Matters in the Church
Too often, Christian leadership is defined by what we stand against. But Paul’s vision is more than defensive. He wants leaders who run toward beauty, justice, truth, and grace—and help others do the same.
In Catholic theology, this echoes the transcendentals: truth, beauty, and goodness—which all lead us toward God.
“God is infinitely good and all his works are good.”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, 385
So to love goodness is, in a sense, to love God Himself—because all goodness flows from Him.
Jesus, the True Friend of What Is Good
Jesus didn’t just expose evil—He loved what was good.
He welcomed children. He praised great faith. He honored truth-tellers and peacemakers. He marveled at generosity. He rejoiced over repentance.
He lived with moral clarity and deep joy—and that joy came, in part, from loving the things His Father loves.
Christian leaders are called to reflect that. Not with shallow optimism, but with eyes tuned to grace—eager to find and celebrate the goodness of God in a broken world.
A Word of Reflection
Do you find yourself more drawn to critique than celebration? More focused on what's wrong than what’s right?
That’s not necessarily wrong—but over time, it can dull your spirit. We were created to delight in good things. And our leadership will feel stale if our hearts are only trained to spot danger and never beauty.
To love goodness is to be alive to what God is doing, not just aware of what the enemy is trying to destroy.
Final Thoughts
When Paul tells Titus that leaders must be “lovers of what is good,” he’s describing someone who reflects the very heart of God. Someone who delights in beauty, justice, faithfulness, and truth. Someone who makes goodness contagious.
Because when leaders love what is good, people are drawn not just to them—but to the source of that goodness.
Reflection Questions:
What fills my heart—criticism, or celebration of the good?
Am I delighting in things that reflect God's goodness—or just avoiding sin?
How can I cultivate a heart that loves what God loves?
