Covered by Love

“Above all, maintain constant love for one another,

for love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8

            When Peter wrote these words, was he thinking of that day on the shores of Galilee years before when Jesus asked him, Peter do you love me?”  Was he thinking of the night on which Jesus was betrayed and Peter denied him again and again, “I never knew the man.”  When Peter wrote these words was he remembering the love Jesus showed on that Galilean shore reflected in the words, “Feed my sheep”?

            Love does indeed cover a multitude of sins, which is fortunate because sin seems to be part and parcel of our daily existence.  All of us have been hurt and have hurt others in ways we never intended. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  If everyone operated by the Levitical law “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”, then we’d all be half-blind and toothless. Only grace can break the endless cycle of retribution. Only love can cover a multitude of sins.

            Why? Well, it is the soil in which the seeds of forgiveness can be planted and grow. That’s why Jesus repeatedly calls those who follow him to lead lives governed by love and forgiveness.  His very life bears testimony to God’s love for each of us, and the crosses we wear around our necks or see on Church steeples remind us of the promise, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

“We love, O Lord, because you first loved us. Grant that our lives may reflect more and more of your love that covers a multitude of sins. Amen”