The Scripture Readings this week are:
- 1 Corinthians 13
- 1 John 4:18-21
The Sermon title is Love Transforms
Early Thoughts: Fear casts out love. Love is patient and kind. Love rejoices in the truth.
It is easy, perhaps especially on Valentine's Day, to get overly romantic and schmaltzy when talking about love. When we read about love in Scripture romance and schmaltz need to disappear form the discussion.
Scripture talks about the love that changes who we are and how we are. Scripture shows us the powerful force that love is in the Reign of God. Scripture reminds us that to truly love another is commanded, is holy, is an essential part of being a mature child of God.
Paul's hymn to love is often read at weddings. In large part because it is a beautiful discussion of love. In part (I believe) because people hear it at one wedding and decide they want it at theirs -- which then becomes a continuous process. But I often wonder if people really listen to those words at a wedding -- okay basically I doubt people are really at a wedding for the Scripture Reading and message in the first place. The love Paul describes in the middle of that hymn is almost utopian. It is almost other-worldly. No wonder he ends by saying the greatest of these is love. Love like that described in this hymn is truly transformative.
This Valentine's Day let us pause to consider the powerful nature of love. Let us ask ourselves how love has transformed our lives (and how we have resisted love's transforming power). This transformation is both personal and communal. Let's put aside the flowers and candles and intimate dinners of two this year and talk about the fullness of love.
And we don't need to be afraid to embrace the power of love. Because love casts out fear.
--Gord
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