RBWords

     In the great Broadway musical, OLIVER, there is a very poignant moment in which the lead character, Oliver, sings, "Where is love?  Does it fall from skies above?"  His question is a good one.  St. Paul's well-known words about love tell us that love first of all is a gift - the highest spiritual gift!  Then he goes on to describe it.  That's where many folks begin to wonder, based on their experience.  Can anyone "bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things?"

     Our culture seems to proclaim that love comes from hormones!  Our culture also proclaims that love is like any other desire - temporary and convenient, between two (or more) consenting adults!   Despite the thousands of weddings where St. Paul's words will be proclaimed, it is doubtful that many are listening, or if they are, love seems like an impossible goal.  They prefer to settle for the lesser "like!"  Love disappears under the many "What if's?" that arise to attack any difficult or challenging teaching of our faith.

     I try to convince others that St. Paul is not proclaiming an ideal only.  What he says is entirely possible.  But it requires EFFORT!  Daily EFFORT!  Years of EFFORT!  A true marriage or any true friendship requires that effort, an intentional and daily effort.  Otherwise we are showing some form of altruism or some kind of secular "unconditional positive regard!"  Valentine's Day cannot do it justice!  Can we overcome the selfishness and individualism of our culture to embrace what Jesus speaks of as a love that will lay down its life for a friend?  [John 15:13]  

     Love is a gift but so many are afraid to truly open the gift and accept the responsibility to bear, believe, hope and endure all things!  The gift comes from God and we are most like God when we make the effort to live the gift of love!  AMEN