The Holy Martyrs Borys and Hlib, Named Roman and David at Holy Baptism (1015); Holy Great-Martyr Christine
Polyeleos Feast.
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Romans 8:28-39; John 15:17-16:2
Today we are reminded of Christ’s command to love one another. This commandment does not come to us as some sort of sentimental vision of reality, but the Lord of life proclaims this to us because love is the very foundation and fabric of existence itself: ‘God is Love’ (1 John 4:7) and God holds all of existence. When we fail to live up to the standard of love we are not only missing some sort of imaginary goal, but we are living counter to our very nature. For if we were created in God’s ‘image and likeness’ (Gen 1:26) then we are created to live like God. It is for this reason that St. Paul says, “if I do not love, I am nothing… if I do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Cor 13:2-3).
St. Paul then goes on to list how we are to love: “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Cor 13:4-7). The road of love is difficult because our wounded and fallen nature pulls us to selfishness away from and to true Godly selfless-love. For this reason, the Son of God did not just instruct and witness to us a life of love but is ready to pour out his healing ‘Holy Spirit’ upon those who abide in him and strive to obey his commands. The healing gift of the Holy Spirit, the bearer of truth, empowers us to be more like Christ, and witnesses to the world of the power of love.