Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs
St. Paul’s words about love come to us in a passage that we never tire of hearing. God created us for love, and we are his beloved children. I must confess that despite the beautiful description of what love is about, frankly it is not so easy to do. We experience such divisive attitudes in our world, our country, and, yes, even in our church that we wonder if love is possible. Yet, somewhere in our hearts we hold on to the hope that it is possible—that it isn’t just a dream, that it can happen. I read all those descriptions of love, and they almost seem to be too much. The image of a banquet comes to mind: so many delicious, savory, and sweet ways of talking about and making love real I can’t enjoy them all – not at once. I must take them one at a time and see if I am enjoying the flavor of each one.
Love is patient… am I so anxious or hurried that I don’t take time to hold on to each relationship with my friends, with God? Am I spending quality time with the important people in my life?
Love is kind… am I gentle and compassionate with the special people I meet? With the strangers who come into my life?
Love is not jealous, not pompous… do I respect the talents and gifts of others? Do I humbly acknowledge my own?
The list goes on. Love rejoices in the good. Love does no harm. Love never fails.
St. John, in his letters, reminds us that God IS love and that we can’t say we love God if we hate our brother or sister. Surely our Christian faith is a faith that demands we love, and especially in these days of war and revenge, it is a message that must assert that love is the way to lasting peace. There is too much discrepancy in the world: professing to be Christian all the while demonstrating otherwise in actions. I must admit that it is difficult to love, but we all must at least try.
Reflection by Fr. Martin Demeulenaere, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections