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and withdrawn like the children in the story Jesus told in the Gospel: “We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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