29-30 Understanding is an intimate knowledge, penetrating to the essence. It involves a mental grasp, a comprehension. To say I see communicates that I have a complete knowledge.
Understanding is the most important expression of love.
It is a form of charity, the highest of all loves. It is the most important gift that can be given because all persons desire to understand themselves and to know themselves. Self-knowledge only comes in relationship to others. One comes to know oneself through one s relationship to God, relationship to spouse or relationship to other people, family, friends and society. Understanding comes through the sincere gift of self John Paul II repeats echoes the proclamation of Vatican II that Man's desire to find himself can only be fulfilled through a sincere gift of himself.