From The Desk of a Geek:
Fair Verona
The balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet is among the most famous ever written or played. It contains one memorable line after another:
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? … It is the east, and Juliet is the sun … See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand … O Romeo, Romeo!
Wherefore art thou Romeo"?
No emotion has such universal meaning as love. It is an integral part of the human condition. Love is the basis for by which all other emotions can be measured. Friendship and even grief are steeped in love. Love is so central to our lives that it is fitting and proper that it should be the topic of so much discussion.
Every culture and every writer has some commentary or evaluation of love. The New Testament has its share of love commentary. The entire basis of the Christian tradition is God's love for humanity. "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son."
Jesus preached a great deal about love of neighbor, love of God and even love of enemies.
Among the multi biblical references to love, the most comprehensive and decisive assessment of true love comes Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. He begins by stating that despite all of his faith and gifts from God, "if I have no love, I am nothing.
Clearly, Paul recognizes the importance of love. He goes on to define love in very explicit terms, telling both what love is and what it is not. Paul begins, "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs." The Apostle continues with the declaration that "love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth.
Spending time with family. Sleeping in late. Reading a good book. A pint of cookie dough ice cream.
We could make lists of people and things we love. “Love” is a word people use frequently, but how often do we mean it when we say it? A wife doesn’t mean the same thing when she says she loves her husband and when she says “I love fall crafts.”
So, what is love? What does it do? Why does it matter?
1 John 4:8 reminds us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” God doesn’t just show us love. God is love. Without Him, there is no love. With Him, it is impossible not to love.
God’s love in us changes us. Love is the difference between caring for someone and using someone. Love makes our actions and spiritual gifts useful. Great faith, acts of service, and miracle-working power produce very little without love. Love involves unselfish service to others. To show it is evidence that you care.
Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength...[and] love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
As Christians, our love for others is a reflection of who God is. We are called to love God and love others. When we do this, our loving behaviors and attitudes point back to God and who He is.
Finally Juliet, grieving that Romeo is a Montague (enemies of her family, the Capulets), says, “What’s in a name?
That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.”
If only Romeo could change his name and remove that impediment to their love! If only his name reflected his sweet nature rather than the enmity between their families.
Love would ensure a willingness to hear and see truth. Love would ensure compassion even for those who did wrong, while still enabling a fierce pursuit of truth. So always be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
Lonnie..
