Agape: God's Endless Love

Read: 1 John 4:8,16


Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) wrote in the Middle Ages an epic poem titled Commedia (The Divine Comedy). His poem concludes with an understanding of Agape in Paradiso (paradise). "What is agape?" Smiles of sincere delight flourish, when the question is asked? Speaking of agape has become second nature. It is speaking of the only eternal love known through experience.



Agape is the eternal love. Endless is the love, which circumstance nor situation controls or determines its existence. Existing because life exist is a meaningful way of speaking on the ultimate nature of agape. Loving those who exist as they are and shall become is what agape holds over the descriptions of love in solely human attachments. Agape is a divine attachment. In the classic written by Dante, readers come to witness the movement in existence from Hell to Purgatory toward the hope of reaching Paradise. Paradise can only exist in relation to being in right companionship.



While holding no condemnation of eros, the human attachment of love, Dante is guided by Virgil, his mentoring pagan poet. Virgil removes the blocks of fear and trembling as to allow Dante to experience the emotional as well as other aspects of human love. Virgil, however, is not able to guide Dante into Paradise with the limited edition of love - eros. Dante writes of having been guided by Beatrice Portinari, who is an incarnation of God's love into Paradise.



Accepting the experience of Dante inspires a reflection of the personal journey of "Self." Self in relation to being is the thought. Being oneself is not an option in existence or non-existence, knowing and being true to one's Self may be the challenge. With or without others and the environment as known in human existence "The Self" is still "The Self" that exists, here and there. The reality of forever existing though not always existing as human being is indeed paradoxical. Yet, eternal life is the gift of the Source of existence, which is the greatest love - agape.



At the end of many of messages from the Pastor's Desk, may be found the word "Agape." The meaning has to do with sincere love. The love of faith in the promise of God for eternal life. The love of hope in the acts of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls. The love of love revealed in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through agape the Trinity is gradually made known to people of God in the world. Through agape isolated souls come to the realization of never being alone. Through agape the painful lessons of going through the "Inferno" are not only purifying in the "Chamber" of humanity, but become a source of perfecting beings, so as to reach a state of "Christian Perfection."



Now then, when you see Agape, pause and give thanks to God for the everlasting love that saves us from eternal death and grants us eternal life. Grace, grace: God's mercy and love in the making of the sufficiency of grace on the journey of life. Life is a journey begun in the human chambers through an experience of eros, but transitions through time into the experience of agape: ending the journey in love on earth into an eternal life of love. Some things are priceless, I am so glad that the love of God is endless.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon us and grant us a fresh reception of your love. Amen.


Luonne Abram Rouse