text: There's an expression that's become routine for people to say.   I think in a way it reveals a slackening attitude or disposition among people - too many Christians - that in turn has led to a fraying and a weakening of the fabric of our society, & a "softening" within the self (a desire to not self-give)
  
  The expression - no longer examined - is in one form: "You have to love everyone, but you don't have to like everyone." 
  
  In a way this builds up walls between people, causing a "superficialization"  in our relationships.
  
  An Opus Dei priest said to me once in spiritual direction "No...you pretty much have to learn to like everyone, and not just [air quotes in the original] "love" everyone.  Be more demanding on yourself...learn about golf if he likes to golf, learn about tax law if that's his thing...learn why he is the way he is and don't be so critical."
  
  In other words, he was saying 'push away that pride and criticality that keeps you from liking nearly every person you meet'.