All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Remember those words written by John Lennon in 1967 and performed by The Beatles? They have made their way around the world with their hope and rhythm and invited many to live its simple yet profound message.
Next week is Valentines Day when many will express love with cards, chocolates or flowers. Although the emphasis of Cupid’s arrow for love struck lovers is often the only one in the commercialisation of the day, we can use it as a way to express love to friends, spouses, siblings and neighbours.
Love is lifted up within the Christian Tradition as the highest objective in relationships. The resume of the Law for Jesus was:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22: 38-39)
One of the joys of travelling with my sister Pauline to Peru is the adventures we will live and the memories we will share. My sister nursed both Rebecca (2004) and Ruth (2010) as they died. We were both present for my brother Joe in his last months (2017). I have some symbolic items I will bring to remind me of them. In our lives we love deeply and we mourn deeply.
A lovely poetic expression of love is penned by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a. (Translation from the Message). I enjoy it as a litany that invites us to response in our lives.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Is this how you will love?
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Is this how you will love?
Love puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
Is this how you will love?
I say: YES!!
We say: YES!!
Let’s love as God in Jesus has loved us and commit to its ideal on February 14 (the same day I am returning from Peru) and everyday!
Rev. David