“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13: 13
This passage is probably one that many of us have heard over and over, especially at weddings. And while all these characteristics of love can certainly apply to the romantic love between a couple, that’s not what Paul had in mind when he wrote this letter to the people of the church at Corinth. There was conflict in that church, as it was a diverse group. Some members were letting their devotion to different leaders in the church outweigh the unity that they should feel through the love of Christ. Paul in his letter wanted to bring them back together through an understanding of love in Christ–the Greek word agape, meaning love that is selfless, unconditional and voluntary.
It’s a good message to remember–that all things are enhanced by God’s love and that we need to let that love hold us up, unite us and strengthen us as we face life’s challenges. An anonymous poem encourages us to be led by God’s love in all things:
People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered–love them anyway!
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives–do good anyway!
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies–succeed anyway!
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow–do good anyway!
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable–be honest and frank anyway!
The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest minds–think big anyway!
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs–fight for some underdog anyway!
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight–build anyway!
People really need help by may attack you if you help them–help people anyway!
Give the world the best you’ve got and you’ll get kicked in the teeth–give the world the best you’ve got anyway!
Lenten Labyrinth–as we did last year, we would like to make the labyrinth available during Holy Week (March 28-April 4), for people to walk as a spiritual exercise and experience. We need hosts who can spread it out and be available for short periods of time during the day, evening or Saturday morning to welcome those who wish to walk the labyrinth. Can you help? Please contact Amy if the church office if you could offer some time.
Mary Beth Commisso
Readings for the week
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Psalm 71:1-6
2 Chronicles 34:1-7
Acts 10:44-48
Friday, January 29, 2010
Psalm 71:1-6
2 Chronicles 35:20-27
Acts 19:1-10
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Psalm 71:1-6
2 Chronicles 36:11-21
John 1:43-51
Sunday, January 31 - Epiphany 4
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
Monday, February 1, 2010
Psalm 56
1 Kings 17:8-16
1 Corinthians 2:6-16
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Psalm 56
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 14:13-25
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Psalm 56
Jeremiah 1:11-19
Luke 19:41-44
