Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 1/30

This Sunday offers us a very special Second Reading: the Great Hymn to Love, one of the most important texts for our spiritual life. We are in holy ground here because these words are coming from the depths of the heart of St. Paul, from his most intimate experience of the Risen Christ. The same Jesus that sought him and revealed Himself to him on the way to Damascus is the inspiration behind these words ("He loved me and gave Himself for me" Gal2:20). This Hymn to Love is essentially a portrayal of the Love of God manifested in Jesus Christ.

Addressing his beloved community of Corinth, who is suffering from division, factions, jealousy, etc..., Paul decides to make this beautiful description of LOVE. He goes to the root and summit of everything. Love is the center and unifying power of all. The partiture of Creation, of the visible and the invisible. The secret song underlying all the work of Redemption. We can fairly say all these simply because God is Love, because we are love made flesh, because we are walking images of Love. Whenever we feel desolation, he suggests us to stop and ponder the hidden mystery of Love. The best/only way to organize, prioritize and beautify everything in your life is Love. But what is Love? To will intensely the good of the other, for his or her sake, not so they can then like me, leave me alone, or satisfy my desires. Love is participating in God's being, in His eternal desire of each soul's good without self-regard nor conditions.

I know it’s not easy, that’s why Love acquires the form of a Cross, a Crossiformed everlasting Joy. Too hard? Wait a sec and look around, the joyful angels and saints are here to encourage you. When the Church considers someone for canonization, She doesn’t look at his or her miracles but at the quality of their Love. They are all champions of Love, because they believed God was madly in Love with them.

How should we love? By being patient. Love is patient, ready for long suffering. When we are not willing to wait for someone we are meant to love, maybe we are willing our own good? By rejoicing in my neighbors' joys. Love is not envious: When we want the other’s good we don’t resent in their success. By being humble. Love is intrinsically humble, it does not put on airs, it is not snobbish, does not seek primacy. When the other is lifted up I am lifted up because we are one body, one living organism. By forgiving through the power of compassion. Love (or Agape) is not prone to anger, does not keep a record of wrongs or hurts. Love cannot waste time nor energy, my life is too precious and I love it out of love for God, so I won’t keep the memory of wounds and resentments. The ONE only thing worth cultivating, worth desiring, studying and practicing is.... LOVE!! 

~Fr Remi