Love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. "

I don't think any other phrase or verse mentioned in a Homily has ever stuck as much as this one did this morning.

Love. Growing up, and sometimes to this day, I still don't find it very easy to say the word. All throughout my life, i've felt it, although at home, it isnt a word that is said to eachother very often, but when i do hear it said by someone from my family, it brings me to tears. This is not to say I dont feel love, or give it. The truth is, as much as it was a too 'cheezy' for the culture we had at home, i also felt and still feel that it is a big word.

The Beatles sing:

All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.

And yet i wonder, what does it really mean? I may not be too vocal about it, but I find it is one of the most important, most beautiful words in the world. It is sacred, not to be messed with. Love. That feeling that makes you happy, sad, hurt, all at the same time. Love. A word that brings people to do many things that people who are 'out of love' think are crazy.

You can't buy it, its not to be taken, only to recieve. It is to be given away, with nothing in return. I say it is color, silence, a whole lot of laughter, a familiar face, remembering someone or being remembered.
A whole lot of nothings that are the great somethings in life.

Love. When there is just the two of you alone, apart, but together, and almost feel as if he or she is next to you. When nothing need be said and all is understood, and all is accepted.

When the butterflies have gone, and you're left with eachother.

Loving yourself, your neighbor, your God.
Loving yourself and not being selfish nor conceited.
Being yourself.

Love. What is life without it? It ceases to be one.

Love. Try as we might, we will never able to define it, only describe it.
I can only pray, that may my life be always full of it.