One Love.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast, but do not have love. I gain nothing.

-1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Bishop came to my college mass tonight to speak, and he told the congregation that the theme for this week's readings was "One Love." And then of course, the second reading was the very famous and often quoted 1 Corinthians. And even though most people can quote the next few verses, "Love is patient, love is kind..." and so on, the verses I've listed above are the parts of this passage that hit me the hardest.

No matter what you have, no matter what great talent you think you possess, you are nothing without love. No matter if you are a king or doctor or preacher or writer... you are nothing without love. It's that simple. And yes, this is a vigorously repeated thought that has been taught for centuries through folktales like King Midas and his golden touch, but somehow, this fact belittles me. It discredits a small theory I have of my own. My theory is that my career, my writing, and my future is what is important. It is what matters most right now.

"Don't get wrapped up in a boy," I tell myself. "Don't get emotional." But the truth is I am afraid. I scare myself out of love. When it comes to finding my "significant other," I can never tell if "this one" is worth that sacrifice. So I usually question it and retreat.

Just last night, my friend, S. asked me a question about my current relationship, "What are you waiting for?" And my answer, of course, had to deal with my career and my future. But I get it... I do get it. What do I have without love?

The answer is nothing. And that is probably way scarier than commitment.