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Word To Life
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Sunday Scripture Readings, Jan. 31, 2010
By Jeff Hedglen
Catholic News Service
January 31, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Cycle C. Readings:
1) Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19
Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17
2) 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13
Gospel: Luke 4:21-30
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous ..."
These words from the First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, in this week's readings have to be some of the most loved and remembered words in the Bible. They certainly are the most definitive Scripture on what real love is. This New Testament passage is used to set the tone for weddings every Saturday across the globe because it is the standard for how we should look at one another and how we should treat one another.
But the meaning of this Scripture changed for me one day during a retreat. Instead of being an altruistic measuring stick for love of others, it became a mirror to my soul. The retreat master asked us to read the Scripture, replacing the word "love" with our own name. In so doing, the famous text became:
"Jeff is patient, Jeff is kind. He is not jealous, he is not pompous, Jeff is not inflated, he is not rude, he does not seek his own interests, he is not quick-tempered, Jeff does not brood over injury, does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Jeff bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Jeff never fails."
Wow, these beautiful words from St. Paul had just become evidence that could indict me on numerous violations of the law of love. In truth, more times than I care to admit. I am not patient or kind. Too often, I am jealous, pompous, rude, inflated, and quick-tempered. I lose faith, fail to hope and quit. And I certainly fail much of the time.
The retreat master asked us not to get too down on ourselves; rather we were to use this as fodder for self-reflection, growth and the sacrament of reconciliation. Since that day I have often used this passage for my examination of conscience before the sacrament.
It is often said that people will rise to the expectations you set for them. Based on this passage from Scripture, God must really think we are capable of greatness. We may never live these words to perfection, but the one who is their perfect incarnation is offering us the challenge to at least attempt to never fail.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever thought of 1 Corinthians 13 in this way? How does this view of the passage impact you? What are some ways you can strive to love like this?
SCRIPTURE TO BE ILLUSTRATED:
"Love is patient, love is kind. ... Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 8).
END
Copyright © 2009 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS Word To Life column may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service.
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