1Corinthians 13: 1-13 The Love We Share

Deacon Jack Robson, Last Mountain Anglican Parish

February 07, 2025

key points from this story:

• Valentine's Day celebrates love and relationships
• Greek physicians linked third finger to heart
• Paul describes true love in Corinthians 13
• Marriage imperfect but irreplaceable bond
• God's love is eternal and all-encompassing
• Jesus' sacrifice exemplifies highest form of love

Valentines Day is looming on the horizon, and with this comes the thoughts of love, the flowers, the special dinners, special times spent with dearly beloved husbands or wives, and family. This is a very special day for many, as we remember those that are so close to us, who bring us happiness & joy. Individuals that are irreplaceable in our lives, that we depend upon, that are always there for us, individuals that are beside us everyday and share our hopes, our dreams, our joys, our disappointments, our days of despair, but with their love and caring, they make our earthly lives worth living.

More than 2000 years ago, Greek physicians believed that a special vein of love connected the third finger to the heart. It logically therefore became the finger that bears the wedding ring!

The Apostle Paul in Corinthians Chapter 13, describes the attributes of true love, "Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or rude." We are all very human, our very distinct personalities are flawed in many ways. We are often impatient, we may be unkind, boastful or rude on occasion despite our determination to act differently, to do better, to be more thoughtful & caring. Apostle Paul writes, "Love is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth." Marriage isn't always perfect, but there's nothing better in the whole world, than to be with your one and only love. You are precious to each other, totally precious; in each others eyes you are irreplaceable. May this never change through the days, months and years of your lives. Live, laugh and love together, and hug often. Our lives, our spiritual beliefs, our marriages, our families, our communities, are founded on faith, hope & love, and the greatest of these is love. Love is of the most importance because, "God is Love."

We cannot, and should not escape the obligation to love, because if we cease loving, we cease being human. Love is the most important element in our lives. From a song by John Denver, "Palaces will crumble, bridges will rust, mountains will disappear, and rivers will dry up." The only thing that is forever is love, God's love to each and everyone of us. John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Jesus died on the horrible cross in agony, He was the sacrifice for all our sins. He died for us, that we may have eternal life, this is the highest form of love.

We can go forth with confidence, without anxiety, and know that Jesus walks with us, hand in hand, over high hills and deep valleys to our earthly horizon and beyond. His love is His biggest blessing to us, and there is none greater. "Love Divine, all loves excelling, Joy of Heaven to earth came down."