What’s love got to do with it? In commentaries and in Bible studies, I often encounter the variety of words, in the Greek, used for the English word “love.” People ask lots of questions about the meaning and use of them in Scripture. At the same time they are also asking about a “hierarchy” of love – “is there a word that means ‘God love?'” There are perhaps several questions that can also be asked:
- How do modern-day Christians use and interpret the various Greek words for “love”: eros, philos, and agape? The answer is often given as a hierarchy of love ascending to God-love in the word
- How did the first century Scripture writers understand the differing words? How did they intend to use them?
- How does OT and NT scriptures use the words.
In writing these columns over the last several years, it seems to me that several themes are reoccurring, namely: belonging, gratitude, and commitment. I think we assume people who are faithful then display a sense of belonging, gratefulness, and commitment. But it is actually a bit the other way around. People who find an abiding sense of belonging to a worshipping community and are committed to that community, become people of deeper faith. People who intentionally practice gratitude, become more faithful and committed. 
In Jesus’ parable, the King has prepared the feast – all is ready, the invitations sent … and resent, and yet amazingly, people don’t come. In our reading it says that people ignored the invitation. The underlying word in Greek means to ignore in a way that is careless – or perhaps, not being sufficiently careful with treasures with which we have been charged.
Back in the day, I was part of a small advanced team that began the turn-over process for a fleet ballistic missile submarine as one crew relieved another crew. Our small team from the Gold Crew rode a tug into outer Apra Harbor, Guam, where we transferred to the submarine and were taken down the hatch. As soon as we were below, we instantly knew something was wrong. We had descended from the clear Pacific island breezes into the “locker room from hell.” It was though the fragrance from every high school football locker room had been concentrated in the confined space of a submarine. While you might think that description is exaggerated or part of a “sea story,” let me just say, the locker room analogy was kind compared to actual ambiance. 
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