FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024 - LOVE

 FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024 - LOVE

From 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

If I speak in the tongues of men or angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I’m assuming that “Love” here is “agape” love—the unconditional love for and from God. It is complete, Perfect, Consoling, Compassionate, and Peaceful.

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If I am super bright (and can “fathom all mysteries and all knowledge”) but don’t have unconditional love - “I am nothing.”

Even if I were to be the epitome of generosity, giving away all my possessions to the needy, without the presence of love, these acts would hold no value, leaving me with nothing.  

If I can move mountains - but I don’t have supernatural love - I am still nothing.

Agape Love, in its essence, is perfect. It is a love that surpasses human capabilities and understanding. As imperfect beings, we are far from attaining such LOVE.

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I view perfect love as something that humans can’t obtain on our own.  It is a supernatural - beyond what we can do.  If I desire that perfect love, I must ask God for it.  I’ve  quoted Dorothy Day frequently:

“I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

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Maybe we have somebody who is impossible to love—we pray, “God, give me that supernatural love so I can love that person.” 

If somebody calls us “a jerk,” “a worthless person,” or “a fool,” it can be hard to love them.  If somebody spits on us and yells at us - I (we?) have to LOVE them (agape) - unconditionally.  

I have a friend whose father greatly abused her as a young girl - and even killed her brother in an angry fit.  It would be hard for her to love her father unconditionally.  

Maybe your spouse cheated on you - (let’s assume a male) and had many girlfriends and had sex with a lot of women.  Can you “agape” love him?  (or her - it is a two-way street).  Can you unconditionally love them?  

What did Jesus say on the cross? “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  Then he fell on his knees and cried, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

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But I have to keep trying - “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS US

Karen Anne White, Friday, April 26, 2024