Our first reading today is 1 Corinthians 13. This is often referred to as “The Love Chapter.” If you’ve ever been to a wedding, chances are you have heard this read there. St. Paul tells us what love is, and what it isn’t.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”
That's a pretty bold statement - Love never fails. What about marriages and relationships that break up? What about parents that turn on their children and vice versa? St. Paul's statement still holds true. Infatuation fails. Sexual attraction fails. Anything that is self-serving fails. Because humans fail. But real love is not about the self. It is about always wanting what is best for the other, and being willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen, including sacrifice. Just take a look at a crucifix. That's love that never fails.
Father, teach us to truly love. Take away those false notions of love that we carry around. Give us a love that will never fail, like Jesus'. Amen.
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Thank God that when we die, we will be judged by a loving and merciful Creator, and not by another sinner!