Pauline Reflections 26 - 13th June 2009
 

“If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

In Chapter 12 of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the need to use these different gifts for the good of the body of the one Church so that it may grow into a unified whole. In a striking manner, Paul highlights love in Chapter 13, as the most important gift needed for the community. This chapter is often referred as the hymn of love, backed up with powerful conditional statements in a rhetorical form. In it love is extolled as the mother of all the gifts.

The love Paul talks about must be properly understood. It is love that is selfless and inclusive of all. Jesus emphasizes this love as a model of discipleship. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. This love is compelling and it becomes the vocation of the Christian: not to respond makes us empty and lacking in depth, like a ‘clashing cymbal’, whose beauty is short-lived and depends on someone else to play it.

Paul in this chapter tells the Corinthians - and all Christians today - that love is the measure of all things. I believe love is the medicine that can transform the world making it a better place for all. Religion is not the foundation of this understanding of love, although it can enhance it. Paul recommends love as a way of life: to love is to have a fulfilling life as a person.

Perhaps, we should reflect and ask ourselves some questions in line with Paul’s thinking. Do I live a life of love? Is my love restricted and selfish? Do I reach out to love others as they are? Do I love for my self interest and personal gratification? Is my love for myself and others genuine and sincere? Am I patient with people? Do I readily forgive? It will be nice to conclude our reflection by looking through the qualities of love outlined by Paul in the rest of Chapter 13, beginning from v.4.
 

Prayer

Lord, you are Love itself: grant that I may love you above all and my neighbour as myself. Amen.