All Together Now
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
-I Corinthians 13:1-3
February is the month of celebrating love. We also honor presidents of the past, celebrate Black History, and we watch the Super Bowl. Our preaching this month is focused on the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper which we celebrated last Sunday. Are we making room at the Lord’s table for others? Are we unified in our obedience to Christ? Do we trust that we are not alone?
The enemy wants to divide and destroy our unity. In a polarized society we see relationships strained by disagreement. God calls us to be united as the Body of Christ, to use our gifts for the common good, and shows us the most excellent way to live in relationship… in love.
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that all the good works they did meant nothing if they weren’t done in love. He went on to explain how we live in loving relationship as the Body of Christ:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. -I Corinthians 13:4-7
They will know we are Christians by our love. These are not easy to accomplish. They take focus and attention. They take intention and care. May we continually strive to love one another in the Body of Christ.
One: Most Gracious and all wise God; Before whose face the generations rise and fall; Thou in whom we live, and move, and have our being. We thank thee for all of thy good and gracious gifts, for life and for health; for food and for raiment; for the beauties of nature and the love of human nature.
All: We come before thee painfully aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. We realize that we stand surrounded with the mountains of love and we deliberately dwell in the valley of hate.
One: We stand amid the forces of truth and deliberately lie; We are forever offered the high road and yet we choose to travel the low road.
All: For these sins O God forgive.
One: Break the spell of that which blinds our minds. Purify our hearts that we may see thee. O God in these turbulent days when fear and doubt are mounting high give us broad visions, penetrating eyes, and power of endurance.
All: Help us to work with renewed vigor for a warless world, for a better distribution of wealth, and for a brotherhood that transcends race or color. In the name and spirit of Jesus we pray. Amen.
