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4TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Did you tune out the second reading from Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians today? If you have been to a lot of weddings, it is likely you've heard this paean to love at most of them. It's a favorite that gets chosen again and again. And because of that, the very familiarity of the words can lose their meaning. "'Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not rude,, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury?'" Oh yeah, I know that one; I've heard it all before, No need to listen. Because of the context in which so often we hear those words ( a marriage celebration) we sometimes miss what Paul is really trying to convey. The Corinthians were disputing among themselves what the better gifts of the Spirit were and who had the greater ones. Paul takes them to task, rather harshly, by telling them that all the prophecies and sacrifices are nothing compared to love. We can feel righteous about many things, and our sense of justice can breed high expectations about equitable treatment and our rights in the world. We expect our "fair share" all the way around, Sometimes our "gift" turns out to be one of self-justification. Paul Turns those expectations on their head. His proclamation that love is the way suddenly put us in a different position. Love does not seek its own interests and it does not brood over injuries. These are not easy things to put into practice, but it is what is asked of us as believers in Christ. Maybe that's really why we tune out these words sometimes, because they are not easy to put into practice. But love is the essence of our faith-love of God, and love for on another.
©2010 St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church.org Prepared by Digital Pro Quo LLC
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