Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1 -13
Reflection

My daughter takes such joy in making gifts and cards for me. Every week she comes from school with handmade cards from folded paper. She is proud of her creations. She makes things and piles them in the room. Sometimes I get a little annoyed with all the things she stores. Gifts and cards make mess and some days I just want to say, ‘no more making of gifts and cards.’ But when I see my daughter’s face, filled with joy because she is able to make things with her hands and present them to me, it makes it almost impossible to say no more.

My daughter says, ‘Love can save lives.’ She shares this thought with her classmates, friends, and teachers. Love has no limit and love never loses hope. We never lose hope or give up on the ones we love. Even though they might hurt us, still, we love them. When we think of love, we may think of our family members and friends and how much we are devoted to them. We are a part of God’s family. We know how much he loves us, for though we have hurt and abandoned him, he does not throw us out of his family. God loves us not because we deserve his love, but because his nature is love. When we know this, we can have faith that we are firmly in God’s family, and that gives us peace and hope.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul said he may have faith to move mountains, he may give everything that he has to the poor, offer his body to be burned, but if he has no love, it would all be for nothing. Paul gives us a warning, that if we do not have God’s love, we are nothing and what we do, is worth nothing. So, by opening our hearts to allow God’s love to flow through us, his love will make the difference in who we are and what we do.

The first letter of John (1 John 4: 9) talked about God’s love. God’s love for us is powerful. When we reflect on the fact that he sent his son to earth, to live and die for us, it is completely humbling and amazing. Sending Jesus was such an unselfish act of love, that we can compare it to nothing. We should practise showing love to others, just as God showed his love to us. When we show love to others, it is God, living in and through us, showing them his love. Always remember, “Love can save lives.”

-Orpona Murmu, Church of Bangladesh

Prayer

Lord, give us your grace, your mercy, your peace, and your love. Thank you, Lord, for constantly loving us. Thank you, God, for the faith and love of other believers whose lives have touched those who have not yet come to know you as Lord and Saviour. Lord, help us to live in Christ and continue to grow in relationship with him. Each time we fall, please help us to get up, by your love, your mercy, and your grace. Amen.