Getting the best of the Holy Week.

“The greatest thing of all.”

There was a time when the matter of faith was so important to me that I would overemphasize its importance using verses such as, “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.” Or “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Or “Faith moves mountains.” Or “By grace you are saved through Faith and this is not of yourself but the gift of God so no one should boast.”

Then I heard a friend of mine talking about “Hope” and he said, “Without Hope there is no point in life.” Or “Hope is a good thing.” Or “The last thing you should lose is Hope.” Or “Jesus in me is the hope of glory.” Or “Jesus is the hope of Israel.” Then I came today to this passage:

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13.

How can I read this verse in any other way but as, “Love truly being the greatest of all?” So, today I will emphasize Love above all because it is the greatest thing.” I will purposely paint myself into the corner and against the wall with thoughts such as “God is Love.” Or “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whosoever believes in him might not perish but have everlasting life.” Or “The love of God constrains me.” Or “Love that would not let me Go.” Or “Amazing love, how could it be, that thou my God should have loved (died for) me.” Or singing, “The deep, deep love of Jesus… as long as I live.”

This one thing I know, my present convictions will become like my old bicycle tire; “over inflated in one area to the point that like a bump of a blister I will notice it every time the tire goes around.”

As someone said, “we all have to die of something, choose your poison.”

I choose Love as my poison of preference because it is the greatest thing and just between you and me, “I love to love and to be loved.”

Even my letters are my gift of love to you and I love to hear from you.”

Love, because Love is from God. Love, knowing that you will never be more like your Father in Heaven than when you love. Love for no other reason but to die with a smile. Remember always that, “Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Might the bump of your old bicycle tire remind you daily as it goes around and around that love is the greatest thing under the sun on this side of heaven and also in heaven itself.

This was your fellow bicyclist on duty in the “peloton” of our tour of life.

Gerry Gutierrez.

PS. The Baptism of Simeon and Aaliyah.