Wednesday, September 16, 2020

THE DANCE OF LOVE

Reflection for Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time, Year A
(1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Lk 7:31-35)

1.0.  The Gift

Long before our present battle with love and relationship, St Paul had given an explanation of love that remains a solution to most of the problems we encounter with love. St Paul’s teaching is based on his understanding that LOVE IS A GIFT. This is the departure point of his teaching. It is not just a gift, love is the highest, the most sublime of all gifts; it is love that renders other gifts meaningful. Think about the love you have today, do you feel it as a gift? True love is given freely and received freely. And where love genuinely exists, other gifts will begin to germinate. Among others, faith (trust) and hope are the most intimate gifts that arise from love. Then, other spiritual gifts will begin to grow. That means love does not leave us stagnant or retard our lives. It roots us firmly in God with the gift of faith, such that we confidently entrust ourselves in the arms of the one we love, and match forward with joy to conquer the future. “Love never ends” It leads us into the future of God, who Himself is Love.

2.0.  Characteristics of Love

Because love can be confused with our momentary sentiments, St Paul lists out the distinguishing characteristics of love. These qualities, at the same time, reveal the opposing negative sentiments that often tend to mingle with love. “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.”

3.0.  The Dance of Love

The rhythm of love is rolling, let us step forward in line and join the dance of love. The tune of love we hear from St Paul is clear and direct. If we internalize it and dance to this tune, no one can deceive us with fake love. But if we go off-track, we shall be tossed through and fro and be easily heartbroken. Such experience can make one cold and withdrawn like the children in the story Jesus told in the Gospel: “We piped for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.” But the love of God has been poured into our hearts through Jesus Christ (Rm 5:5). If we focus on Him and love Him back, we shall win the battle of love and continue in the dance of love, a dance of joy and victory. Amen.

Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Wednesday September 16th, 2020.
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com

 

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