October 2022

True Love

Love, true love has many different connotations. The most referenced scripture pertaining to love is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV.

It reads: 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

The four Greek words used to describe love are Eros, Storge, Philia and Agape. Eros love refers to the expression of sexual love or feelings of arousal shared between people who are physically attracted to one another. Storge love refers to the expression of treasured, natural, ancestral love among family members, such as that between a parent and child. Philia love refers to natural love, unforced, brotherly love shown among friends. Agape love refers to sacrificial love. It is the most powerful form of love whereby one sacrifices his/her life for another.

I am quite sure these four different kinds of love were often displayed by our ancestors at one time or another. Perhaps when we become skilled enough to analyze situations, times and places we can see and learn to appreciate these forms of love in action. We use the words “I Love You” much too casually. It is used without giving thought to the real meaning, which causes it to ring hollow to our ears. True love is observed with the eyes, sensed within the heart, verbalized with such deep feeling, that it is easily acknowledged by the fervor it is meant to convey.

Just think…If we were to demonstrate these acts of love among each other, we would lessen our ability to commune with others. True love can easily vanquish jealousy and hatred. True love demonstrates caring and eliminates animosity. We cannot allow the odium to lead us into darkness. We must learn to passionately embrace illumination.

Yvonne Richard-Sanchez