1 Corinthians 13:13 – And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

The Germans have a word that, in many ways in the antithesis, the opposite, of the biblical love spoken of in scripture today. The word is shadenfreude, which really can't be translated into English any better than agape can, but is a kind of malicious delight in the misfortunes of others, often with an overtone of moral superiority – "I'm better than you". This is far removed from the spirit of agape love which takes no delight in misfortune, misinformation, or malediction. Love is never happy when another goes wrong or wrong happens to another. Instead, love rejoices in what is right and seeks rightness for all:

this strange love that defies definition
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things,
up to and including
its own crucifixion.
(F. Beuchner)

Prayer: Let our love be like that of Christ our Saviour, a love which transforms and transfigures this world and brings the light and life of the gospel to all people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
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