Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
1 Corinthians 13, “the love chapter,” is an ever-popular reading, especially at weddings and other happy and friendly events. We are encouraged to love one another, told how great that love is, and, not infrequently, told that we are doing it really well.
Last time I preached at a wedding, this was the passage I was given. I will probably never be invited to such an opportunity again. Why? I told the couple the truth. Right at the moment they were doing pretty well at loving each other. Everyone was watching them. They had to stay where they were. They knew the script and what to say and do. What would happen a few hours later when they were more tired, nobody was watching, and they were off script? Selfishness? Impatience? Unkind words and actions? We start to see ourselves more realistically once the audience is gone.
What was the point? We don’t have the love we need in ourselves. We need someone else’s love. When I fail, I need the Christ who loved me and gave himself for me. I can only see him dimly, but I can see him. Let’s pursue God’s love in Christ, not our measly substitute. His love will never fail.
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