Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (Optional Memorial)
Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8)
Paul’s beautiful hymn of charity, as this passage is often called, paints the picture of a mature love filled with spiritual vitality. It’s not the textbook definition of love that we find in a dictionary, but a soaring hymn that expresses what Christian love looks like as it is lived out day by day. This love is patient and kind rather than irritable; it serves the needs of others and does not insist on its own way; it is not quick-tempered; and it doesn’t brood over injuries (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5).
Paul wrote this vigorous call to love to the Corinthians, a community that had been touched by the Lord in a powerful way, but that was also plagued by division, competition, and immorality. And so he urged them to let the love of Christ that they had experienced so powerfully at their conversion overcome their faults and heal their divisions. By appealing to love, Paul wanted to help the Corinthians recognize their own deepest desires. He knew that this was the one sure way to help them overcome their sins and grow in holiness.
As he wrote about growing from childish ways into mature faith, Paul surely had his own life in mind as well as the Corinthians’ lives. Paul had started out as a zealous young Pharisee who persecuted Christians. It took some time, even after his conversion, for him to calm down. But over time, he grew in his love for Jesus and became a more effective force for reconciliation and unity.
So make it a goal to grow in love. If you find yourself getting impatient, ask the Lord for the grace to be patient. If you find yourself getting consumed by anger, try to put on gentleness. If you find yourself getting puffed up by pride, ask the Spirit to give you a greater share in the gift of humility.
As we yield to God’s love in these ways, we can grow in our love for the Lord and for one another. Our love will mature, and we will naturally seek ways to live not only for ourselves, but also for everyone around us.
You can walk in Christian charity—if you keep walking with Jesus.
“Jesus, light the fire of your love in my heart, so that I can love you and love others with your own love aflame in me.”
Psalm 33:2-5, 12, 22
Luke 7:31-35