Love

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Author: Carol Denereaz (New South Wales, Australia)

Friday 19 April 2024 © The Upper Room.

At my nephew’s wedding I was asked to read a paraphrase of today’s reading from 1 Corinthians. Even though it was a civil ceremony and God wasn’t mentioned, he was present, because love was there.

We as Christians are called to love our neighbour as ourselves (see Matthew 19:19). If we can celebrate human love—a love that is dim compared to God’s love—how much more can we celebrate God’s pure love for each and every person we meet?

My nephew’s wedding was a reminder to me of how much God loves everyone. He is calling me to love not only my family but also those around me whom I don’t always find lovable—those I sometimes disparage, those outside my comfort zone, those I find scary. God loves us all, and we are called to do the same.

Prayer: Dear Father, help us to be reflections of that love. We pray the prayer Jesus taught us, saying, ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.’ Amen