Love, love, love With Valentine’s Day upon us and Harry and Meghan’s wedding just around the corner, it’s a good moment to reflect on the word ‘love’... If the word love seems to be somewhat over-used, this might be because we only have one word for it in the English language, whereas the Greeks have four: Eros, Philia, Agape and Storge. They each have a different meaning and they all have an important part to play in lasting relationships. Eros is the romantic love that inspires the Valentine cards, most of our love songs and is the love that got Harry down on one knee to propose to Meghan. The problem, however, is that Eros won’t last without the support of the other kinds of love: Philia – friendship love, Agape – sacrificial love, and Storge – family love. Yes, Eros makes the heart beat faster and turns our world upside down, but it lacks staying power, and sooner or later leaves quietly by the back door. It may return (and often does) but, on its own, Eros cannot sustain a lasting relationship. Love that lasts is built on friendship formed through shared experience, honest conversation, battles fought and won together, and bonds forged with both immediate and extended family. It is built on shared memories, laughter and tears, saying sorry and finding forgiveness, and choosing to stay when you would rather go, because you promised that for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, you would always be there.
Rev Patrick Butler
‘ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.’ In the Bible, in 1 John 4:7, a simple request is made: ‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.’ The kind of love it talks about is agape love, or sacrificial love: the love expressed by Jesus on the cross; the kind of love that will not give up on us, though we may turn our backs. This is the love that comes from God. So whilst it’s good to celebrate the romantic love that brings us together, let’s also celebrate the kind of love that keeps us together – not just for Meghan and Harry, but for all of us.
Credit: Alexi Lubomirski
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