St. Alban's Episcopal Church

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:6

I know for me this verse requires me to be very, very honest with myself. You see sometimes, we all have people in our lives that we don't necessarily, wish that bad things would happen to or for them but when they do, a part of us is happy. This can be true when there is someone in our life whom we have compared ourselves to; whom we may deem them ahead of us in some way shape or form or another. We may consider them richer or prettier or more influential than ourselves. There can be this thing in us that actually delights in their demise and in seeing them lose. My brothers and sisters in Christ, this just is not love.

Throughout scripture, we see the many facets of what love is and what love is not. What’s interesting to me about this particular instant of scripture about Love, is that it doesn't require us to do anything other than to check our hearts, to look into our hearts. Love creates enough space in our hearts to be happy for other people. Is there anyone in your life that you would enjoy seeing them become a little less successful?

This thing that God is putting in my heart to share, is for us to pray for that person today. Whoever it is that comes to mind for you, will you try this? Instead of harboring feelings of jealousy, envy or doubting their motives, pray for them. Not only that they be lifted up in your prayer but that you are humbled to see and pray for them, as a child of God’s just as you are a child of God’s needing grace and mercy, along the way, as we all complete this earthly journey.

The call to love others came straight from Jesus, and love is best demonstrated in our relationships. It’s not a do whatever feels right in the moment kind of love. Love is action. Truly loving others will be uncomfortable at times, because it goes against our selfish, human nature. But love should seek to build bridges; it should choose to honor others, and it should show respect for all people regardless of differing viewpoints, skin tones and economic levels.

We must strive to beautifully represent Jesus by and how we love people, for it’s in these selfless acts that the world will see a Savior who’s worth following.

Beloved, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!”