File

File

Minister’s Message: Love takes work

Love is more than a feeling or a one-day experience.

  • By Frank Alioto For the Peninsula Clarion
  • Thursday, February 11, 2021 9:52pm
  • LifeReligion

By Frank Alioto

For the Peninsula Clarion

Valentine’s Day is approaching! How will you express your love for others? Will you give a card, flowers, gift, share meaningful words or demonstrate an act of service?

I believe most would agree a wedding ceremony can be the ultimate expression of love. Picture this: a bride and a groom in their finest glory focused on each other and committing to a blissful life faithfully together for the rest of their lives. The day, the service, the reception and wedding night make up that expression of love to be celebrated by family and friends who witness and rejoice in the union.

But as many of us have learned: Love is more than a feeling or a one-day experience; it takes work.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

I have been blessed to officiate many weddings and a common Scripture chosen to be read at the ceremony is found in 1 Corinthians 13. It is known as the “Love Chapter” and it is a poetic description of love. It highlights love’s nature in what “love is” and “is not.” Casually listening to the text celebrates familiar terms and gleeful explanations of how to work at love in relationships.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 4-8a).

After reading this at the service, I look at the couple and crowd and see people nodding in idyllic agreement. There are so many great things to do and not do to keep love alive. The words seem to hang in the air as I then describe the context of why this passage was written.

While appropriate for a wedding it was addressed to a group of people who were not getting along. Paul wrote this letter to the church he started in Corinth. As a city, Corinth was, in essence, the ancient Las Vegas. People had a past there and it seemed like their old habits were rearing their ugly heads.

Yes, people’s lives were changed by the good news of Jesus Christ’s death and Resurrection and the opportunity for people to be made brand-new in Jesus. The problem with the church members was they had stopped working at loving each other and they were quarreling with each other. Even at church, people were serving other desires and needs rather than following Jesus.

Paul admonished the believers to embrace love above all and to let love be the natural overflow of their heart and evident in everything they do. In the perspective of marriage and relationships, isn’t this so true and needed?

Love is work and there is an intentionality needed to keep it alive. As Paul concludes the section, he prioritizes the importance of love, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (13).

Jesus expressed his love for creation as He provided a way to be in relationship with God when humanity was far away.

I believe the kind of love expressed in 1 Corinthians 13 illustrates a commitment to first receiving God’s love and then working at it to keep it alive. Who in your life can you bless with this kind of love and what will you do specifically today to work at love?

Frank Alioto serves as a pastor at Roots Family Church and a chaplain in our community.

More in Life

"Octopus" is an acrylic painting by new co-op member Heather Mann on display at Ptarmigan Arts in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Ptarmigan Arts
July First Friday in Homer

Homer’s galleries and public art spaces celebrate with new and ongoing exhibits.

Frank Rowley and his youngest child, Raymond, stand in knee-deep snow in front of the protective fence around the main substation for Mountain View Light & Power in Anchorage in 1948 or ’49. This photo was taken a year or two before Rowley moved to Kenai to begin supplying electrical power to the central peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 2

In July 1946, the soft-spoken Rowley was involved in an incident that for several consecutive days made the front page of the Anchorage Daily Times.

This nostalgic sauce is so shockingly simple, you’ll never buy a bottle again. Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion
America’s favorite culinary representative

The original recipe for ranch dressing was invented and perfected in Alaska, out in the bush in 1949.

Graphics show the nine finalists in three age groups for the Soldotna “I Voted” sticker design contest. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna announces finalists for ‘I Voted’ sticker contest

Public voting will be open until July 20 to determine the winners.

Homer’s Cosmic Creature Club performs at the 2024 Concert on the Lawn at Karen Hornaday Park. (Emilie Springer/Homer News file)
July events to provide entertainment and fun on lower Kenai Peninsula

Events include the Highland Games, Concert on the Lawn, local art camps and the Ninilchik Rodeo.

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Flashback dreams and the cold sweats

When summer arrives, every personage in the known cosmos suddenly seems to remember that they have kindred living in Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: Freedom is not what you think

If freedom isn’t what we first think it is, what is it?

This is the Kenai Power complex. The long side of the plant faces the Frank Rowley home, seen here at the right side of the photograph. (Photo courtesy of the Rowley Family)
Let there be light: The electrifying Frank Rowley — Part 1

Frank Rowley made one of the most important steps toward modernization in the history of Kenai.

”Thread of Light” is an acrylic painting done this year by Dan Coe on display through June at the Art Shop Gallery in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Fine art in invented spaces

Anchor Point artist showcases his skills with exhibit of acrylic paintings.

A variety of peony blooms grow vibrantly on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
6th annual Peony Celebration begins July 1

The festival will run in Homer through Aug. 17.

This cake stacks colored crepes for a brilliant rainbow breakfast. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Crepes of a different color

This rainbow cake celebrates Pride with layers of colored crepes.