All things considered, we are called to Love first and foremost. Understanding is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and probably not something "once-given," but something that lives and grows in us who follow Christ....
Amen! Absolute love of God is the Great Commandment - and unconditional love of neighbor is the distant second. All of the law and the prophets "hang" on these two commandments. (Matt 22)
Thank God for Pope Benedict whose First Encyclical was devoted to Love.
And thank God for you, my dearest sister in Christ!