In 1985, Huey Lewis and The News released a hit single called The Power of Love. The song put them on the map of pop culture of the eighties. I’m not a huge fan of the song, but I looked up the lyrics to see if there was anything of substance there. Here’s the first verse of the song,

The power of love is a curious thing
Make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a hawk to a little white dove
More than a feeling, that’s the power of love

Okay, those words won’t go down in history as the most profound description of love ever penned. But, perhaps, the following are,

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor 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. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The greatest force for change you will ever experience is the love of the God of the universe. It will change you. You will begin to pick up the values, mannerisms, and politics of the One you love.

Paul has a particular person in mind when he personifies love like this.

When Paul wrote, “Love is patient,” how could he not have been thinking about the One who said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” There is infinite suffering out of love.

When he says love does not keep a record of wrongs, how could he not be thinking about the One who said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing”?

When he says, “Love always protects, always hopes,” how could he not be thinking about the One who, when he saw His mother and the disciple named John, said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” 

Or when he said to the thief being crucified beside him, “… today you will be with me in paradise”?

According to Leif Peterson, when his father, Eugene Peterson, would say prayers with his kids as they were growing up, he would lean down and whisper in their ears these words,

God loves you.

He’s on your side.

He’s coming after you.

He’s relentless.

Paul describes a being that is coming for you. And as I read that description, there is nothing to fear in the pursuer.

Have you ever seen a couple who had been married for decades who seemed to look a lot alike? This is actually a thing. It’s called “empathetic mimicry,” where two people unconsciously mirror each other’s facial expressions and emotions over time, leading to similar muscle patterns and wrinkle formations on their faces, making them appear more alike.

Love is a power, and love is a person. We will be changed to the degree you and I connect with Jesus.

I learned about a practice that originated with Saint Ignatius. After I read a Gospel passage (this morning, I read John 14 aloud), I invite the Holy Spirit to guide me, and I practice meeting Jesus in the way Ignatius taught.

Meeting Jesus

1. Close your eyes and imagine yourself walking. You choose the place and time.

2. In the distance, you see a person walking toward you. As you get closer, you realize it is Jesus. He greets you by name.

3. He says something about the weather to start the conversation.

4. Then wait with your imagination for what he says next.

5. Then you can say whatever you’d like to Jesus and wait for a response.

6. When you are ready, you can say goodbye in whatever way you would like.

7. Reflect: Notice not only what was said but what tone of voice and body language were used. What stood out to you most about Jesus?

My late mother lived in Colorado and Washington state for over sixty of her eighty-three years. But she was born in Texas and raised in southeast Colorado—close to Texas. Her parents were from West Texas. My grandmother and grandfather spoke with heavy Texas accents, but for the most part, my mother lost her Texas accent.

However, when her sister visited, they might talk in the next room, and their voices would start to blend. My mother would begin to talk in her Texas accent. Both my aunt and my mother sounded the same.

In fact, my mother would sound like a Texan for quite some time after my aunt would leave and go home. They sounded alike because they spent time together.

And so, friend, may you spend so much time with Jesus of Galilee that you begin to know down in your bones that,

God loves you.

He’s on your side.

He’s coming after you.

He’s relentless.

In time, others will say that we speak with a Galilean accent.