I am so delighted that Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is back, where he belongs.
Throughout Jesus's time on earth, he spoke many times about Christians being persecuted. However, in Revelations; because it is foretelling that Christians will be persecuted, when the end time comes, it is increasingly alarming.
The message the Bishop delivered, specifically to his transgressor, was a particular poignant one. He forgave him; expressed his love for him, and prayed for him.
These are the things that Jesus taught throughout his life on earth. He said, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:32) He goes on to say:
"If I speak in the tongues (other languages) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour 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. . . .
Jesus goes on to talk about faith, hope and love. He ends his sermon with "...But the greatest of these is love." (Corinthians 13:1-13)
No matter how many times I read the New Testament I always have, what I call, a 'ping!' moment. This means I discover something new. In today's case - the 4th bullet point above states, "...it keeps no record of wrongs." I have just realised that whilst I love easily, I do keep hold of the wrongs that have been done to me. This is something I need to work on, going forward.
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