COR 13 "A HYMN ABOUT LOVE"

"If I speak in human or angelic tongues, but do not have love , I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.  And if I have the gift of prophecy, and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." 1 Cor 13: 1-3

God gives gifts to man for the building of the church community.  On the other hand, all of these gifts will be nullified if we use them just to puff ourselves up and if we do not use it with love for God and for our neighbours.

We must deal with our brethren in compassionate love, understanding and care.  Even if one has the gift of the tongues which is of course a privilege, but if he or she one treats their brethren with contempt and with slander, that amounts to  nothing!

If we have faith so active and alive and join all the activities in the church with so much energy, yet
quarrel with the members of this church, we have done nothing worth of value.  If we give away all of our property and live a life of poverty; if we have followed the vows of obedience and chastity, yet has every unfavourable remarks for all and if we have a caustic tongue which hurts our neighbour's feelings, all of our efforts are in vain.  Better keep quiet, be simple and love God and our neighbours.

To be a true Christian is not easy.  Love is the testing ground of one's status in the eyes of God.  We always remember that we are here on earth not to please all men but foremost to please God.  God's commandment of loving one another is crucial to our relationship with Him.

Cynthia Austero- Bernardo