I LOVE ...?

I love you.

That's a phrase, gentle reader, we all use over and over. Now with Valintine's Day coming up it will be the "in" thing.

Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on gifts, flowers, dinners, special getaway times for two and more. But what is love?

If we explore this four letter word, we find that the word love goes back many centuries. In fact, the Greeks had three basic meaning to the word love. Yep, three totally different means compared to our poor nondescript English.

First they used the word "eros." That's an easy one to figure out with our 21st century minds. "Eros" means erotic, sensual, carnal. Basically it has to do with sex and sexuality attraction. Sort of like a fishing lure flung out to attract its prey.

Secondly, the Greeks had another word used for love. That was "fillio", a kind of brotherly, family like love. "She obviously loves her family very much." To appreciate, to treasure, to value. Perhaps a co-worker, or a girlfriend or guy you have grown close to and cherish the friendship over time.  You get the idea. It's those rare people who just blossom like a rose and create sometimes life long mutual attraction. There our "Lifelines" out there in our harried world.

Finally we have the beautiful word: "agape'." It sort of rolls off you tongue is a smooth deep meaningful way. Agape, I love you. It's the kind of love that is total encompassing, yet asks nothing in return. I agape you - I love you. Totally and completely no matter what. No expectation, no strings attached. A true gift of love to another. It's not the chocolates, the flowers, the dinners. It is a love that is consistent. Did you hear that? Consistent ... unwavering despite everything, like harsh words, mean thoughts, anger at what the other said.

Kind of makes you think doesn't it?

Someone who is a brighter bulb in the pack than me recently said in our country three out of five marriages fail. What happened to the richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and till death do us part of love?

We go to our places of worship dressed to impress. We sing hymns, chants, prayers of adoration and forgiveness. And then we turn and go out the door and live our empty lives because there is no Agape/love. We are busy building what I call "the kingdom of self."

. Shoot him one said. A man in trouble — forget that he was cited a number of times of acts of heroism over a number of years serving in the Charleston Rescue squad saving lives, going beyond the call of duty. Now in . Our Hero tries to kill himself.

The media played it up in it's typical negative slant.

We love it when there is dirt to dig into ... that's why the rag sheets at the checkouts sell. We feed on others miseries. No Agape love here.

We live in a sick, sick world. Not the one God created. His Son was treated like the man on the bridge, only worse. All Jesus did was heal, raise the dead, hung out with sinners. For that he died a brutal, horrible death hanging naked nailed to rough cross to be further humiliated. His response: "Father forgive them for they don't know what they are doing."

That gentle reader, is true, unvarnished, Agape love. A love that expected nothing in return. A true Valentine's Day.

Should everyday we draw breath be a Valentine's Day? If you're up to it. Join me in reading once again and read 1 Corinthians chapter 13. Perhaps just before that special dinner of whatever event is planned.