Sunday, January 28, 2007

 
Sunday Morning:

I was lecture today in Church. Ofcourse, I knew before hand. I didn't have the reading with me.
I was pre-occupied with the Church Fund raiser I am running. Last night I spent doing paperwork getting ready for it, and today I had to get to church early to get things rolling.

It was a pleasant surprise when I saw today's readings. The second reading 1 Corinthians 12:31- 13:13. A reading from the first Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

"Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.

For lovers, young or old, this can be a very romantic notion. As they listen to this scripture and gaze into each other's eyes their mutual love raises to a spiritual level. They placidly accept the reading as additional proof of the depth of their love.

If only it was so easy. What about the rest of the people in the world? I am not referring to natives in third world countries, most of us can find it in ourselves to want to help these people,
to love them in a detached way. After all we can't go there, we can send money. This allows people who can help them do just that. Our consciences are assuaged. We are true Christians,
and we KNOW what LOVE is!

I am afraid......we fall short.

We must love the un-loveable. Your eyes are now tempted to look away. It hurts just to think
of them. You know who they are. Your heart feels so heavy now. You can't possibly be asked to do this. How can you love a boss that is mean and miserable, who makes your work life a living hell? How can you love a step-child who hates you? How can you love a teacher who belittles you in front of class mates? How can you love the old lady down the block who does nothing but scream at children and gossip about neighbors? How can you love the rich who flaunt their riches? How can you love the drunk who beats his wife and children? How can you love the
addict who steals to keep his habit going? How can you love criminals? Child Molesters? Rapists? Murderers? Is it even possible to love these people?

My answer is this.....we can pray, with love , for them. Does this satisfy the charge: Love your neighbor as yourself? No. It's a start. We all have to start someplace, and there is no place better than prayer.

Labels: Sunday morning worship

posted by Maggie 1/28/2007 12:04:00 PM