The Epiphany Light of Love

1 John 4.7-21

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.

This passage from 1 John is one of the Eucharistic readings for this week. It brought to mind the difficulty of loving when we are afraid, hurt and angry, betrayed and suffering. In this Season of Epiphany which will last until March 8, perhaps we could spend time letting the Light of Epiphany shine on the places in our lives where love is difficult. Just as the Star shone on the cradle that held Jesus, the incarnation of God's Love, so we might let the Light of Christ shine on the places we are trying to give birth to love and forgiveness, despite the trauma of the hurt inflicted by others.

These beautiful words from the Taizé chant "God is nothing but Love," might bring comfort to you as you listen, even though they are in German!

God = Love

Dare to Love

Fear Not...

So Be It.

The translation of this chant is 'God is nothing but love. Dare to give all for love. Give yourselves without fear.' -