LOVE IS ALWAYS PATIEN

PRAYER PAUSE

Wednesday 19 September, 2018

LOVE IS ALWAYS PATIENT

Enter into the stillness of God within.

Reading ”Love is always patient and kind; it is never jealous,”  (1 Cor 12:31…13:13)

Reflection. Paul is explaining to the new Christians in Corinth the meaning of the good news.  He sees rivalries and divisions arising in the community and tells them this is not the way.  Then he gives them this teaching on love that has come to us over the ages. “Love is patient.” We use that word ‘love’ so much and we experience it in our families and relationships. But sometimes we forget that it is a “long desire” (John Bradburne) that has a cost.  In a relationship I have to totally accept and respect the other persn – not as I want them to be – but as they are. That is not easy.  I want them to be someone else, do things differently, think other thoughts.  But they don’t.  They are who they are.  Sometimes they are sick or disabled. To love is to accept them just as they are. And once they discover they are accepted they relax and grow – and maybe change!    

Prayer. Lord, help us to accept and respect each other and so travel the long road to love. Amen