When I was younger, I was excited to go on a family vacation. I checked for everything I needed and made sure I was ready on time. I was all set! It was only after we had arrived that I realized I had forgotten the most important thing: my suitcase. It has turned into a funny family memory. Yet, it also is a small example of how we can get so distracted that we forget the most essential things. 

In this passage, Paul reminds us of the most essential thing in life: love. Indeed, he states that without love, no matter what we do, we are nothing. NOTHING. In this world, we are faced with tremendous pressures and distractions. Even in our pursuit of goodness, it is possible to forget to embody God’s love—without which we are empty, clanging instruments.