24th Week in Ordinary Time, Wed. September 20, 2006

Scripture: I Corinthians 12:31-13:13. Psalm 33:2-5,12.22. Luke 7:31-35

Recently, I read two articles from America Magazine that commemorated the tenth anniversary of Henri Nouwen's death. I found them quite close to the message of Paul for us today. And let me share two thoughts from the articles. The editor of his books writes, "...he had learned that we all have a mission in life: to know God's love and to be a vehicle of that love for others." (Robert Ellsberg, America, Sept. 18, 2006, p. 14). Then a great insight from Ellsberg into Henri's book on the Eucharist, With Burning Hearts: "Like the two disciples, we begin the Eucharist by sharing our losses; then we hear the word of God; and then in the breaking of the bread we encounter the risen Lord."

I believe that gives me the context from a contemporary editor and a great spiritual writer for saying the following about Paul's most outstanding statement about love. Paul's eloquence breaks through in the citation that is contained in I Corinthians 12:31-13:13. Paul chooses the word AGAPE for love and this is ultimate and perfect self-giving love without selfishness. This love surpasses the great virtues of faith and hope. What I do with this passage every once in a while is to substitute my name to test whether I am living up to the characteristics of this love: Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I not jealous? Do I put on airs? Am I not snobbish? Am I not rude? Self-seeking? Prone to anger? Brooding over injuries? Paul really gets to the nitty-gritty in what he considers love. And if we each could live out the characteristics for one day would there not be peace throughout the world? No contracts or treaties just the inspired divine word of God given to the human race in this magnificent poetic encomium of Paul.

Yet, I must come back to myself. I am the one who is called to live up to these characteristics today. Paul gives me and you a good way to evaluate our behavior each evening before retiring with his words. They help us see our relationship with one another, with God and even with ourselves. And I now also recall how often these words of Scripture are often chosen by those who enter the great covenant of marriage. It would help them to remain faithful and patient throughout the years if they could continue to examine themselves with this beautiful passage. The joy of the wedding celebration could be relived in such a reflection at the end of each day. In case you do not have a Bible or New Testament near at hand, here is the heart of the passage:

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not refjoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends....And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love (AGAPE). Amen. (I Corinithians 13:4-8, 13).