1 Corinthians 13:4-8 begins with a list of characteristics describing love. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, not pompous, not inflated, not rude. The passage goes on to include that love does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, and doesn’t brood over injury. There is so much here, but to be clear, the opposite of brooding over injuries is forgiving those who offend us right away and from the heart. The list is not finished because 1 Corinthians continues by telling us that Love does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, which means it is willing to carry our load and sacrifice for each of us. To Love is to will the good of others. Love believes, hopes, and endures. Finally, Love never fails. What a beautiful description of God’s authentic love for His children.
God’s authentic love is far beyond what most of us are used to giving and receiving from one another. God loves us so much that he calls us to something greater. He welcomes us with open arms when we mess up and His love includes mercy and compassion. Even though we often fall short, we should not hesitate to ask Him for more than we feel worthy of receiving. In Matthew 8:8 the Centurion says, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” These are the same words we recite before receiving Him in the Eucharist. All He has to do is say a word and we are healed, forgiven, and made whole. We receive His grace as we receive Him; With His grace we can authentically love one another.
Keep God as the focus of everything in your life, receive Him in the Eucharist and you will receive His grace, be healed, forgiven, and made whole because – God is Love!
Here’s what the Scriptures have to say:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, 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…
1 John 4:7-8 – Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.
John 13:34-35 – I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”