Deacon 11: LOVE: «Love is not Jealous»

The Torah commands us to love God above all things, our neighbour, and to love the stranger. And although it does not say to love our parents it does say that we are commanded to respect and honor them. Well, you cannot respect someone that you do not love and love ultimately leads you to honour the loved one, so it went without saying in the Torah, but we are indirectly commended to love our parents as well…

Then he said «love is not jealous…»

Jealousy is a disease that corrupts the mind of the jealous person, disturbs the peace of mind of the object person and destroys relationships. Jealousy is insecurity, lack of self-control and lack of self-worth. Those deficiencies can lead one to a very rocky existence and drive most others around away. Jealousy is not love as it is not giving. It is an obsession and a desire for control. The jealous person senses that he/she is unworthy of the other person’s respect and love and fidelity, therefore he/she suffers the pain of their insecurity and the distress it causes.

Saint Paul, in his epistle, to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 13) clearly states what love is and his definition/explanation cannot be surpassed. We will discuss the various aspects of love as defined in I Corinthians 13:4-7 and I would suggest that you take a look at those verses as they can make a positive impression on your life and improve the quality of your relationships. We should remember that the Bible is a holy book.

As we learn and live we should strive to love more. To love God (whichever way you conceive God to be) and to love your neighbour. And if you do not know who your neighbour is, well think of anyone in need as your neighbour, needing your love and your succour. And I would remind everybody in every country of the world that we must include, among those we love, the stranger, the refugee, the desperate ones that have travelled far and crossed many borders to get to your «home» which is now their home for God made the world for all His children.

Chapter 3 is forthcoming with the rest of I Corinthians 13:4-7. Many blessings

CHEERS