Dear friends,
As Valentine’s Day arrives, we often think of love through its various expressions: those of sentimental cards, sweet chocolates, and beautiful flowers. Yet, beyond these symbols, there lies a deeper, more enduring example of love— a love that goes beyond emotions and reflects divine affection. The Bible describes the attributes of this love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth."
In this passage, Paul invites us to consider what true love is. He defines love not in the terms of his culture but in terms of God’s definition. Here we see true love is not simply an emotion, but a series of actions— a purposeful choice to be patient, believe, hope, and endure regardless of the circumstances.
In John 15:12-13, Jesus Himself further illuminates this love’s unifying characteristic— its sacrificial nature— by saying, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Here, the greatest example of love is exemplified by the highest sacrifice— sacrificing one’s own life for another’s. This perfected love was demonstrated by Jesus Christ not just in word but in His very actions, offering us a model of selfless love to emulate in our relationships.
Divine love calls us to surrender ourselves to each other, to be patient and kind, to look beyond our interests to seek to meet the needs of others. It teaches us to celebrate honesty and to remain committed, even in challenging times.
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s aspire to have an active and self-sacrificing love that goes beyond surface-level affection. Let today be a reminder to love deeply, sacrificially, and unconditionally, mirroring the love that Christ has shown us. Let’s embrace each opportunity to show love in action, whether it’s a thoughtful gesture, a word of encouragement, a gift to those in need, or forgiveness to those who have wronged us. May we choose to love selflessly, without any hint of envy or pride.
Love, after all, is the greatest of all virtues, a beacon of hope and a symbol of a true believer. It is this divine love that binds us together and guides us through this earthly life. May we renew our commitment to embodying this love in every facet of our lives.
Let us love not in words or speech but in action, because it is by our actions that the world will know the depth of God’s love.
