Nothing Mathematical

There is nothing about love that is mathematical. If someone keeps account of love, as if it is like a debt to be paid or collected, it is not love. If someone easily subtracts love because of an offence, it is not love. If someone divides love, as if one child gets half and so does the other, such is not love. If someone thinks love multiplies in a logical way, like 2X2=4, like love was predictable, sorry, not love either. None of these equations resemble love at all.

The love God has for us, and that we are capable of, defies mathematics. In the midst of nothing, love can happen (we call this creation). In the midst of hatred and war, love can happen. In the midst of pain and suffering, love can happen. In the midst of joy and celebration, love can happen.

Love is what inspired Paul and Silas to invite their jailor into a relationship with the divine.

Love is what causes Jesus, in one of his final prayers, to pray for the unity of his followers; so that, whatever trials we face we will have one another, and God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Mathematics needs at least one of something that can be added to, subtracted from, multiplied or divided. Love, thankfully, can start with nothing. Love can be the most unlikely thing, yet somehow it becomes present.

Far too many politicians and business leaders deny love, and act as it if doesn’t matter. They treat love as if it is a commodity that can be tacked onto some sort of mock platitude. Far too many religious leaders are sorely afflicted too.

But love does matter, it is what we were created for. It is the one and only thing that each action should be tested by. From my Ascension Day sermon:

“The theological importance of the Ascension points to a particular significant point about our understanding of the incarnation (that is, God taking on human form, in the person of Jesus Christ): and that is, each of our lives, and everything we do, matters to God, our creator. God cares about us and loves us, beyond measure.”