Strength from Love

The Roman Catholic Lectionary for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time offers part of the greatest insights into the nature of love and our relationship to the Divine source of love. The 12th chapter of the 1st letter of Paul to the Corinthians has inspired many. Much has been written about this visionary text. Love fits together all the other components of our being. The power of the love is the basis of the strength to face the realities of being a disciple of Jesus. Luke’s gospel reveals Jesus understanding that the will of the Divine is not the will of humans and this truth will necessarily mean ‘no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s home town.’ In the time of Jeremiah, the Exile to Babylon, prophets were not welcomed either. Truth is the pursuit of the prophet. As always, the truth hurts. Love is the balm for hurt.