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September 17, 2014

“Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous; never boastful or conceited; it is never rude or selfish; it does not take offense, and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s sins; it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes (1 Cor 13:4-7).”

In society, we see how sweethearts love, how parents love their children and vice versa, how friends love, even how criminals can have a kind of brotherly love. But St. Paul’s description of love in the above passage is truly different and far more superior. For sure, none of us can love perfectly. Our love for others is usually limited or self-seeking. Often our love is possessive or conditional. But Christian love according to St.

Paul is truly free of affectation, pure in intentions, self-giving and given to all and not just to some. How pleasurable it would be if we could love in the same way. A society that loves like that for sure has no problems it cannot solve. In truth, this kind of love can be found permanently in heaven. As Christians, let us strive to bring this love to our families, our neighborhoods and our church communities.
The gospel talks to us about the end of days when the Son of Man will come again. With the first reading in mind, we should look forward to the last days and pray we will be among those chosen to enter the heavenly kingdom. Knowing that it is a kingdom of LOVE, surely we will all desire to enter there.

One Bread, One Body

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 5

<< Wednesday, September 17, 2014 >>

St. Robert Bellarmine

1 Corinthians 12:31—13:13
View Readings

Psalm 33:2-5, 12, 22

Luke 7:31-35
Similar Reflections

DO YOU LOVE?

"If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." —1 Corinthians 13:3

Without love, even the best things in your life mean nothing. Therefore, the most important questions in the world are: Do you love the Lord with all your heart and soul? (Lk 10:27) Do you love your neighbor as yourself? (Lk 10:27) Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? (1 Jn 4:7) Do you love your enemies? (Lk 6:27, 35) Are you growing in love?

To answer these questions, we must know the meaning of love. "The way we came to understand love was that [Jesus] laid down His life for us; we too must lay down our lives for our brothers" and sisters (1 Jn 3:16). Love is not a feeling or an experience; rather, it is a commitment to be faithful to others even if we must die for them. Love is long-suffering and bearing others' burdens (see 1 Cor 13:4). It is not jealous, proud, and selfish; it is forgiving (see 1 Cor 13:5). The perfect picture of love is Jesus hanging on the cross. "There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life" (Jn 15:13). "It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us" (Rm 5:8).

To love authentically, more deeply, and even completely (see 1 Jn 4:12, 17, 18), we must become purified. We are purified by obedience, especially by obeying the Lord in being faithful and true to the people He puts in our lives (1 Pt 1:22).

"God is Love" (1 Jn 4:8, 16). Live in love (Jn 15:9-10).

Prayer: Father, may love displace fear in my life (1 Jn 4:18).

Promise: "Love never fails." —1 Cor 13:8

Praise: St. Robert was the great nephew of Pope Marcellus II and spiritual father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Brilliant in Church teaching, Robert found his faith in the person of Jesus Christ.