Canada (81/07/01)
July the 1st is a legal holiday
in Canada. It used to be called “Dominion Day,” but now
is called “Canada Day.” It commemorates the
proclamation of the British North American Act on July
1st, 1867, which established the Dominion of Canada.
“Dominion” comes from the Latin word for “lord” or
“master” and refers to sovereign authority or the power
to rule. Although the term is not used so often these
days, it was used particularly to refer to a self-governing
state or commonwealth of the British Empire. Canada,
which occupies most of the North American continent, is
the second largest country in landsize in the world,
following the USSR. Legally, it is a constitutional monarchy,
under England’s Queen Elizabeth, with a parliamentary
system of government. It now consists of 10 provinces
and 2 territories. The French-speaking province of
Quebec, however, has been threatening to become
independent. In the Bible, “dominion” may refer to human
or divine rule. In the Creation story in the first book of
the Bible, man was given dominion over the earth, but in
the last book in the Bible it is clear that final dominion and
power belong to God alone.
Julius Caesar (81/07/02)
This is the 7th month of the year,
called “July” in English. This name comes from the
name of Julius Caesar, who was born in this month. Julius
Caesar was a great Roman general and statesman who
died in 44 B.C. When his wife became involved in a
scandal, he divorced her with the famous words, “Caesar’s
wife must be above suspicion.” On January 19, 49 B.C.,
he led his army across the stream that separated Gaul
from Italy and civil war began between his forces and those
of Pompey. The name of that stream was “Rubicon.” Now,
the English phrase “to cross the Rubicon” means to start
on a course of action from which there is no turning back—to take
a final, irrevocable step. Another of Caesar’s
famous sayings followed his easy victory over the enemy
forces in Syria. The Latin words, Veni, vidi, vici, mean “I
came, I saw, I conquered.” These words could also be
applied to another “J.C.”—Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
who came to earth, experienced the terrible results of
human sin and conquered sin and the power of Satan by
his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
Different calendars in the world (81/07/03)
Hello. Do you know the date today? It depends on the calendar you use. By the Gregorian calendar, today is the 19th day of the 9th month. However, according to the lunar calendar still used in Japanese almanacs, today is the 11th day of the 8th month. According to the traditional Jewish calendar, it is the 9th day of the 7th month. But what about the year? Even here there are a variety of methods of calculations. Jewish chronology makes this the year 5471, counting from the creation of the world. Christians consider the birth of Christ as the baseline and call this year 1980 A.D. (anno domini: "the year of the Lord,") although due to a miscalculation; the birth of Jesus actually occurred about 6 B.C. For Muslims, this is the year 1399 A.H., the year of the Hajira. The Hajira refers to the flight of Mohammed from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 A.D. and marks the beginning of their era. In Japan, of course, it is the 55th year of Showa, which began when the present emperor was enthroned. As a matter of fact, it doesn't make much difference what number we give to the day or month or year, but it does make a difference how we use it. Make good use of today. There will never be another exactly like it.
Principles in the Declarations of Independence (81/07/04)
In the United States, the 4th of July is a national holiday called Independence Day. It was on this day in 1776 that the Declaration of Independence from British rule was approved by the Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia. From the time the 13 colonies declared their independence and instigated a revolution to ensure it, Americans have been noted for their emphasis on individuality and independence. The Declaration of Independence contains the famous words that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Although it was on this principle that the United States was founded, it is unfortunately true that even now in that country this ideal has not as yet been realized. Still it is an ideal that all countries should strive to attain. According to the Bible, a true and full life, true and lasting liberty, and true and deep happiness are attained through a healthy faith in man's Creator and Savior, whose infinite love was revealed to the world in the life and death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
First (81/07/05)
Hello! This is the first day of a new week, so we will consider the word "first." "First" comes from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "foremost." That which is "first" precedes all others. It is before all others--whether in reference to time or importance. Thus, "first class" refers to something of the highest quality, but one's "first class of the day" refers to the earliest period of the school schedule. "First hand" means hearing or receiving something directly from the original source. And in the United States, the "first lady" is the wife of the President. It is important for each one of us to consider what is of first importance in our lives. What is it that is first in our thinking and planning? When Jesus was asked what was the first commandment of all the 613 Old Testament commandments, his answer was the commandment to love! To love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourself is of first importance to the sincere Christian who should seek first God's kingdom and his will. What are you seeking first in life?
Fast (81/07/06)
Thank you for calling. This is "Daily Word." Our word for yesterday was "first." Today, let us think about another word that many Japanese would pronounce the same as "first." The word is "fast" (f-a-s-t). In English, there is quite a difference both in pronunciation and in meaning between "first" and "fast." "Fast" refers to rapid or swift movement. It is good for a runner to run fast, but a clock that runs fast needs adjustment. Fast food is prepared very quickly, but it usually is not considered first class. According to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, the fast runner does not always come in first. Chapter 9, verse 11 states, "in this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles. Wise men do not always earn a living, intelligent men do not always get rich, and capable men do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone." Still, in our daily lives, we should do our best and run fast, even if we don't come in first.
Tanabata (81/07/07)
In the traditional Japanese calendar, the 7th day of the 7th month is called Tanabata. Although it is written with the Chinese characters meaning "seven" and "evening," "Tanabata" is a corrupted pronunciation of ten no hata which means "loom of heaven." A loom is a machine used in weaving. According to an old Chinese legend, two stars on opposite sides of the Ama no gawa or "River of heaven," which in English is called the "Milky Way," represented two lovers. The maiden, Vega, was a weaver and the youth, Altair, was a cowherd. Although they were married, they were permitted to cross the celestial river only once a year to visit each other--on the 7th day of the 7th month. The bridge over the river was made with the outstretched wings of a kasasagi, or magpie, a symbol of love-making in Japan. In many areas, the tanabata celebration is held a month later on August 7th. The number 7 is a sacred number in the Bible. The rest day, or Sabbath, on the 7th day commemorates God's resting after his work of creation.
Commodore Perry (81/07/08)
One hundred and twenty-eight years ago, on July 8th, 1853, American Commodore Matthew Perry anchored four ships in Edo Bay. Because of their black-painted hulls, such ships were called "black ships." Commodore Perry then presented a letter from American President Fillmore to the feudal government requesting protection for shipwrecked American seamen and the opening of Japanese ports for trading. The following February, he returned and the weakened feudal government had no choice but to agree to his requests. So it was that 250 years of Japanese isolation came to an end. "Commodore," meaning "commander" was previously used as a courtesy title for a U. S. naval officer. Although it is no longer used in the American navy, it is still used in Great Britain. The following year, Townsend Harris arrived as the first American representative. The doors of Japan were reopened to the world 127 years ago and they remain open today--but are they open wide enough, I wonder.
Hōzuki market (81/07/09)
July the 9th is the day of the famous Hōzuki market at the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo. Hōzuki is a plant known both as "ground cherry" and "strawberry tomato" in English. The small, round, red, paper lanterns are also called Hōzuki lanterns. It was formerly believed that eating ground cherries would cure women of hysterics and children of convulsions. Since there are many thunderstorms in the Tokyo area in July, many people are said to buy ground cherries on this day to lessen the after effects of those storms. The 10th of July is the annual festival day of Kanzeon Bosatsu, so there is also a big celebration at the Asakura and other Kannon temples on that day. In fact, July 10 is called 46,000 day and there is a tradition that if one worships Kannon or Jizo Bosatsu on this special day, he will receive the same benefits as 46,000 days of worship. In every country there are superstitious practices that have deep roots which need to be rooted out as our understanding develops and our faith matures. The Bible teaches that we should move on from childish faith to spiritual maturity.
Friday (81/07/10)
Today is Friday. In English, this day is named for the goddess, Frigg. In Norse mythology, Frigg was the goddess of heaven who presided over marriage and the home. She was the wife of the supreme god, Woden, for whom Wednesday was named, and the mother of Thor, the god of thunder, from whom Thursday gets its name. Friday is also the name of the devoted servant of Robinson Crusoe in Defoe’s famous story. He was named "Friday" because he was rescued from cannibals on that day. As a result of this story, any loyal or devoted servant may be referred to as a man Friday. Friday is the weekly holy day for Muslims and in most Muslim countries, it is a holiday rather than Sunday. However, it is not considered a day of rest, but of obligatory worship. For Christians, one Friday of the year is called both "Black Friday" and "Good Friday." It is the Friday before Easter Sunday which comemmorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is called "Black Friday" because on that day black altar cloths are used in the ritualistic churches. It is called "Good Friday" because Christians believe that the death of Jesus on the cross brought many good results--such as forgiveness of sins and new spiritual life in fellowship with God. I hope this will be a good Friday for you.
The famous duel in the U.S. (81/07/11)
Japanese are well-known for their deep sense of honor and deep feeling of shame when their honor is stained or called into question. However, this trait is not peculiar to Japanese. It was the custom in the West to challenge a person to a duel if he caused another some public embarrassment. A duel was a formal, prearranged fight with deadly weapons on a point of honor. Many detailed arrangements regarding the fight were handled by representatives called "seconds." These seconds also witnessed the duel to make sure that all the formalities were faithfully observed. The object of the duel was not necessarily to kill one's opponent, but to satisfy one's sense of honor. On July 11, 1804, a famous duel took place at Waxhawleen New Jersey in the United States. There, former vice-president Aaron Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton, one of the young nation's outstanding statesmen. It is too bad when we think the only way to save our honor is by harming or attacking another. The Bible teaches that we should be willing to suffer silently without taking revenge and let God be the judge.
Holiday (81/07/12)
Today is Sunday. In Japan and in many other countries in the world, Sunday is a day when government offices, schools, banks and many private companies are closed. In other words, it is a holiday. Nowadays, "holiday" refers to a day of freedom from labor, a day set aside for leisure and recreation. It thus may also refer to a vacation time. However, the original meaning of the word was a "holy day," that is, a day set aside for a religious purpose. In Islamic countries, the weekly day of rest is on Friday; for Jews, Saturday is the Sabbath; but for Christians, Sunday is the holy day--in remembrance of Jesus' resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week. It is, therefore, referred to also as "the Lord's day." However, in a wider sense, every day is the Lord's day, so whether we consider today a holiday or a holy day, we may join with the Old Testament Psalmist when he sang "This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (118:24).
Moon-viewing festivities (81/07/13)
Today is Monday, the second day of the week. Just as the first day of the week, in both English and Japanese, is named for the sun, so the second day of the week is named for the moon. Although the moon has not been an object of worship like the sun in Japan, it has held a special place in Japanese poetry, and on the 15th of August and the 13th of September, according to the lunar calendar, special moon-viewing festivities are held. Tomorrow is the first of these two moon-viewing days this year, so some people will be writing poems as they view the moon tomorrow night. In America, the large moon seen at this time of year is called a "harvest moon." In Roman mythology, Luna is the moon goddess and it is from this word that "lunacy," a kind of temporary insanity was derived, and a lunatic was a person whose mental illness was thought to be related to the moon. The moon seems to shine in the night, but it is only reflecting the light of the sun. We also should reflect the light of God's truth and love for the benefit of others who may be stumbling in the dark.
Bastille Day (81/07/14)
Japan has its National Foundation Day on February 11. The United States celebrates its Independence Day on the 4th of July. In France, the holiday commemorating the birth of the Republic is July 14th and called Bastille Day. The Bastille was a castle-like fortress in Paris built in 1369. It was used as a state prison until 1789 when it was stormed and destroyed on July 14th, which marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Since the Revolution, France has enacted a number of constitutional changes and the present constitution is that of the Fifth Republic ushered in by President DeGaulle in 1958. The watchword of the French Revolution was "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity." These are noble aims which all people desire. Yet there are people who are politically free but are still spiritually in bondage. The Christian Gospel of God's love brings spiritual liberty to the believer. Its teaching on equality is based on the faith that we become God's children through faith and thus enjoy the fraternity of God's family.
Chugen (81/07/15)
To the foreigner, the Japanese appear to be a gift-giving people. Gifts are given on many occasions: when visiting another's home, following a trip, at celebrations, at the end of the year, etc. Not only are gifts given, other gifts are given in return. Formal gifts are tied up with a threefold red and white paper cord called mizuhiki, literally "water pulling," since such cords are made by pulling them through a water paste and then letting them dry. At this season of the year, gifts called chugen are exchanged. In Chinese tradition, there were three beginnings or gen on the 15th of January, July and October. Being the middle of these gen, July 15th is called chugen, and so are the mid-year gifts given at this time. For the Christian, the gift-giving time of year is the Christmas season, when we remember the great gift that God gave to the world, the gift of his Son. The Bible teaches that all good gifts are from God, who is the Great Gift-Giver. As we give gifts to others, we should not forget God's gift to us. II Corinthians, chapter 9 ends with these words: "Let us thank God for his priceless gift."
Unusual call to No.110 (81/07/16)
Probably the best known telephone number in Japan is 110. It is used to call the police in times of emergency. However, one evening recently, a Nagoya housewife called that number because she wanted to talk to someone about her problems. She complained that her 43-year-old husband, to whom she had been married for 15 years, didn't help with the housework nor with the care of the children. She said she was ashamed to talk to relatives or friends about this problem so she called the police for advice, thinking they would keep it a secret. Although the police were upset that the woman called that number for such a reason, the woman wanted to talk freely with someone she could trust. There are probably many people around us everyday who want to confide in someone they can trust. They are looking for a sympathetic ear and words of encouragement. Are you willing to be such a person? The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans, chapter 15, "We who are strong ought to help the weak carry their burdens."
The missing comma (81/07/17)
Early this month, a new electronic telephone exchange system in the central business district of Kobe broke down. As a result, some 19,000 telephones connected to the Motomachi telephone exchange were out of order for 8.5 hours. The National Telegraph and Telephone corporation investigated to discover the cause of the breakdown. The basic problem was that a comma, needed to separate coded commands on a computer tape was missing. Without that comma, the taped instructions became confused and the system broke down. A comma is a very small mark; yet it is very important at times. In written English also, if a comma is missing or misplaced, an entirely different meaning may be communicated. Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, author of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, wrote: "It has been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important." Today, a little word of encouragement to a friend, a short, kind greeting to a neighbor can make a big difference in their lives. Remember, little things (including children are important.
Saturn (81/07/18)
Today is Saturday. The name of this last day of the week comes from the name of the god, Saturn, in Roman mythology. Saturn was the god of harvest who ruled the world in the golden age of peace and plenty. He was the husband of Ops and the father of Jupiter, who became the supreme god in Roman religion. Saturn is also the name given to the second largest planet in the solar system--after Jupiter, which is the largest. The peculiar characteristic of Saturn is the system of rings that encircle it. This planet was the particular object of study by the Voyager rocket which took a long voyage of more than 2 billion kilometers over 3 years to send back valuable information to earth regarding this peculiar planet last year. Astronomers now know much more about Saturn than they did a year ago. However, they also have new questions for which they are still seeking answers. New knowledge is always followed by new questions and every honest seeker of new or fuller truth should realize that one's quest for truth is based on an underlying faith.
Ansokunichi (81/07/19)
Today is Sunday, the first day of the week. For Christians, Sunday is a day of rest and worship--commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred on the first day of the week. The Jewish day of rest was on the 7th day of the week, that is, on Saturday, because God is said to have rested on the 7th day after creating the world in 6 days. The Bible calls this day of rest the Sabbath, from the Hebrew word for "rest." In Japanese, it is translated ansokunichi. Nichi means "day" and ansoku refers to rest, but the Chinese characters used for ansoku are interesting. The character for an pictures a woman sitting in a house and has the meaning of "peace." In old China, a woman sitting at home signified peace. Is it so today? The character for soku is made of a nose over a heart, referring to one's breathing--taking a breath from the lungs through the nose. Putting these two characters together into ansoku, literally peaceful breathing, thus meant rest, repose, quietness. For the health of both spirit and body, it is well for the original meaning of this ansokunichi, or sabbath, to be remembered and put into practice.
Moonlight (81/07/20)
It was just 12 years ago, on July 20, 1969, that U. S. astronaut, Neil Armstrong, the 38-year-old commander of the Apollo 11 mission, became the first man to set foot on the moon. So it was that President Kennedy’s vow to put a man on the moon by the end of that decade was fulfilled after his death. The moon is a natural satellite that revolves around the earth once about every 29.5 days. Although the moon is a heavenly body without any light of its own, it appears to shine at night because it reflects the light of the sun. In English, the word “moonlight” literally means the light of the moon, but “moonlighting” has become a colloquial term to refer to a second job that an employee takes beside his main job, for the second job was usually a nighttime job. “Moonshine” also originally referred to the light of the moon, but since the moon does not have light of its own, “moonshine” also refers to foolish or empty talk and to illegally made whiskey. Carl Sandburg, an American poet, called the moon “a friend for the lonesome to talk to,” but a better Friend to talk to is God, the moon’s Creator.
The god of war (81/07/21)
Hello! This is “Daily Word.” Today is Tuesday. The English word, “Tuesday,” comes from the name of an Anglo-Saxon god, Tiw, spelled t-i-w. Tiw was the god of war, but his name is related to that of Zeus, the highest god of the ancient Greeks. In Roman tradition, the god of war was Mars, so in Latin-related languages, the name of this day of the week is related to his name. In Japanese tradition, Hachiman is the god of war. Hachiman, or Yahata, literally means eight flags or banners, which may be seen waving in the breeze in some shrines or temples. Whether in Western or Eastern tradition, it is now time to say farewell to the gods of war and welcome the God of peace. In order to have peace in the world, we must have peace in our own hearts. Before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them this word; “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). I pray that the God of peace [will] be with you” (Romans 15:33) and that “the peace of God” will be yours (Philippians 4:7).
Bureaucracy (81/07/22)
The English word, “bureau,” comes from a French word meaning writing table or desk. Since there are many desks in an office, “bureau” may also refer to a government office. From the Greek word “to be strong,” we get the suffix “cracy” and when this is added to “bureau,” we get the word “bureaucracy” which refers to administration by sets of officials following an inflexible routine. “The perfect bureaucrat is the man who makes no decisions and escapes all responsibility.” Recently, a letter was received by a beer company in China from a foreign collector of beer labels. He requested a label of that kind of beer. Such a request had never before been received and there was no precedent to follow, so the letter was sent from office to office, from bureau to bureau, from ministry to ministry, until, 11 months later, the beer company responded by sending the requested label. How often we get bogged down in minor problems while we ignore things that are much more important. Jesus criticized those who strained tiny gnats out of their drinks but swallowed camels without knowing it.
Dog days (81/07/23)
According to the traditional Japanese lunar calendar, July 23 is the beginning of the season of the “big heat” (taisho). It follows the season of the “small heat” just as the “big cold” season follows the “small cold” season in January. The Chinese character for sho, meaning “heat,” has a sun on both the top and the bottom of the character to show how hot it really is with heat coming from both above and below. This hottest season of the year is also called the doyo season in Japan. In the United States this hot, uncomfortable midsummer time is sometimes called “dog days” because during this July/August season, the Dog Star, Sirius, rises and sets with the sun. Although many people want to get away from the city during these hot and humid days, someone has written that “the bigger the summer vacation, the harder the fall.” During this hot season of the year, we should be thankful for the different seasons and for the special character of each season. In the order and variety of nature, the Christian sees evidence of the wisdom, mercy and power of God, the world’s Creator and Sustainer.
Jizo Bosatsu (81/07/24)
One of the most popular Buddhist deities in Japan is Jizo Bosatsu. This deity is considered to be the savior of spirits of the dead and the guardian of children especially. Statues of Jizo Bosatsu are found along country roads as well as upon street corners in the city. Such statues are often erected on the site of a fatal accident to console the spirit of the dead. Many such statues have bibs hung around their necks by parents who are praying for some benefit for their child. Statues are also erected by parents whose young children have died. July 24th of the lunar calendar is the special day for Jizo Bosatsu, called Jizo Bon, although some areas observe it a month later. Because of their tradition, many Japanese find it difficult to pray to God without bowing before some visible object such as a statue or some other symbol. However, the Bible teaches that true worship is a spiritual act that does not require any visible object of worship or a particular ritual. God is Spirit and he requires the kind of spiritual worship that is seen in all of life.
To be patient (81/07/25)
A few days ago, a man living in Shirakabe Cho, Higashi Ku in Nagoya called the police to complain that a car was parked on the street in front of his garage. The police came to investigate. While they were making inquiries in the neighborhood, the owner of the car appeared. She was none other than the daughter of the man who had called the police. This daughter had married and moved to Gifu. She had come to visit her parents after a long absence, but since she found no one at home, she parked her car and was visiting at a neighbor’s house until her parents returned. Needless to say, her father was very embarrassed when he found out that the car belonged to his own daughter. If he had been a bit more patient and not acted so hastily, he, his daughter and the police would all have been happier. In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 14, verse 29, it is written, “To be patient shows great understanding; quick temper is the height of folly.” How long a fuse does your temper have?
Goodbye (81/07/26)
In English, there are many greetings that begin with “Good.” For example, “Good Morning,” “Good Afternoon,” “Good Evening,” and “Good Night.” Each one of them expresses a hope for the health and prosperity of the person greeted. The idea is “May you have a good morning” or “I hope you will enjoy a good afternoon.” However, the greeting “Goodbye,” used when parting, is a shortened form of the words “God be with you,” so when we say “Goodbye” to another person, we are expressing the hope or prayer that God will be with that person. Now, as I say “Goodbye” to you, I do pray that God will be with you and that you will also remember that the living God is always nearby, ready to help you. The God of all people who is found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ loves you and wants to be with you—to be your Friend. Goodbye!
"Hello" (81/07/27)
"Hello" is another form of greeting in English, used between friends. It is a more familiar form than those using the word “good,” such as “Good morning” and the like. It is the common greeting used when answering the telephone and may also be used as a call to attract attention. It is the root of the word “holler,” which means to shout or yell. In old England, this yell was used to urge on the hounds, or hunting dogs, when hunting. If you holler “hello,” you will attract the attention of others, but there is a better way to attract and keep the attention of others than by hollering. It is by a good life which shows kindness. According to one translation of Proverbs 19:22, it is kindness that attracts attention. Today, let us join the group that attracts others by their kindnesses.
The meaning of "Hi" (81/07/28)
Another form of greeting in English between close friends is: “Hi.” With this meaning, "hi" is spelled with only two letters. It is really a shortened form of “hiya,” which is a shortened form of “How are you?” Both “how are you” and “how do you do” are expressions of concern for a person’s health and mean “how is your health?” Therefore, the common response to these greetings is: “I am fine” or, if one is honest, he may reply, “I don’t feel so good.” However, our concern for the health of ourselves and others should not be limited to physical health. The health of one’s spirit is even more important than the health of one’s body. Just as food and exercise are necessary for a healthy body, so spiritual food and the resulting deeds of kindness it produces are needed for a healthy soul. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:4: “Man does not live on bread alone; he lives on every word that God utters.” In the deeper sense of the word: “Hi. How are you today?”
St.Paul's Cathedral (81/07/29)
In England, the traditional site for royal ceremonies is the Westminster Abbey. In this church, all English kings and queens have been crowned for almost a thousand years. However, St. Paul’s Cathedral was chosen as the site after the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer because it was more spacious. The cathedral has a seating capacity of 2700, which is about 1000 more than that of the Abbey, and over 2500 people around the world have been invited to this royal wedding.
The word “abbey” refers to a monastery, which is a place where monks reside and engage in meditation and prayer. Westminster Abbey was originally a monastery church. “Cathedral” comes from the Greek word meaning “seat” and refers to the main church of an area which contains the bishop’s seat or chair. The present St. Paul’s Cathedral was completed in 1710, following 35 years of construction. St. Paul, after whom the cathedral was named wrote the words that are often repeated at wedding ceremonies: “Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable. Love is eternal” (I Corinthians 13:4-8).