By Lucy Johnson

“Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Enduring All Things

September ranks as one of the most popular months for weddings, and today’s first reading is a favorite choice.  My husband and I chose it for our wedding 42 years ago. The message is wonderful but living this scripture reading is challenging even today. Its application extends beyond marriage to all our relationships.

Reflect on How We Are Living This Out

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

I ponder what words are missing.

Saying You’re Sorry

A famous line in the 1970 movie Love Story was, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” For those of us who grew up in that period, we might have forgotten that the lovers Oliver and Jennifer were movie actors playing a part. Saying “I’m sorry” is an important part of being in relationship with one another. At the Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis this summer, one speaker shared that the road to love is repentance. Asking for forgiveness from and forgiving others is an important part of loving them.

The True Love Story

The true Love Story is that God loves us and forgives us – no matter what. We need to recognize our need for this gift and ask for it. God’s love never fails. We are to love one another as God has loved us. With His help, we can be patient, and kind, and forgiving.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to forgive those closest to me and to ask for forgiveness when I have fallen short. In doing so, my love for them can mirror Your love for me.

Call to Action:

Today, take some time to re-read this scripture passage using your name in the place of the word love. Reflect on how that makes you feel. Are there areas that you need to work on to be more loving?

© 2024 WINE — All Rights Reserved