The One Where He Wrote About Love...on Valentine's Day!

  Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 Love never fails... (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV)

    I'm going to let you all in on a little secret of mine!  Are you ready?  Here it goes...  I really don't like reading the "Love Chapter" at weddings.  Truth be told, I prefer performing funerals more than weddings but that's a story for another day!

    I am not against reading 1 Corinthians 13 at weddings.  I have on several occasions at the request of the bride and groom.  I have even addressed the bride and groom and encouraged them to be patient, kind, etc. with each other in their life ahead.  

    I believe these are life changing words!  When couples request them to be read at a wedding often they are looking at the word "love" as connecting it with feelings and emotions.  In the above context, love is an action word.  In the original Greek the word used is agapē.  This isn't an romantic type of love (that's eros, if you're curious or plan on being on Jeopardy).  Agapē love is an unconditional, sacrificial love.  It is an unselfish love that is extended to the people around us.  To get a little preachy, it's the love the directed to the all of us by God and, by extension, we redirect back to Him.  It's also the same love we are expected to show to others around us.

    In a little less preachy manner, agapē love is shown through Golden Rule: doing to others what you would want them to do to you!  It could mean wearing a mask, not because the government told you to, but because someone you know, or not know may have an physical limitation that makes them more susceptible to more severe medical complications.  On the other hand, it also means getting off a pedestal and listening to those that feel their rights are being infringed upon.

    It's not easy but, then again, nothing sacrificial is.  Unconditional love is something that needs to be worked day in and day out.  It's a love, when put into practice, doesn't just affect others but us as well.  This is a world changing type of love!  Imagine what the world would be like if we put the needs of others before our own needs?  Agapē love could repair global divisions based on race, economic status, indigenous treaty rights, etc.  

    Maybe I shouldn't be to critical of the wide-eyed, love stricken couples that ask this to be read at their wedding?  All couples need to have a selfless love in order to make their marriage work!  Unconditional love in a marriage will help partners make their partners better people...better people that produce and raise better people.  

    Agapē love, if allowed to run rampant, is more infectious than any virus!  Maybe we need a pandemic of loving people LOVING PEOPLE!?  Somebody needs to be Patient 0.  Might as well be me!