MEMORIAL OF SAINTS CORNELIUS, POPE, AND CYPRIAN, BISHOP, MARTYRS
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:7-8)
Today's first reading from 1 Corinthians is one that strikes the heart. St. Paul's words are so poetic and truthful. Love is patient and kind; it is not rude; it does not seek its own interests; it rejoices in truth!
We are in the midst of the worst year for our country that my generation has ever seen. 193,700 Americans have died from the Coronavirus and counting, a number that should strike us, a number that should never become an abstraction. A number that we should honor and learn from. While we still battle a pandemic, a second hurricane has ravaged the Gulf coast. Many in south Louisiana are still without power or a roof over their heads. The fires in the West are out of control, leaving people homeless. Kids are trying to return to school, but case counts are rising. Life isn't normal. Life is messier than I've ever seen it.
Faith. Hope. Love. St. Paul reminds us today of these three gifts. The greatest of these gifts being love. Love is what remains. When the volunteers handing out water, ice, and meals to those in need in the hurricane, and fire-ravaged lands grow weary, what holds them up? Love. When hope seems lost and faith wavers, what remains? Love.
Love is what drives us. Love is what brings joy to our hearts and tears to our eyes. Without love, we are nothing. We have nothing. We can be nothing. Love gives us meaning; it gives our work meaning; it gives our lives meaning.
Love means sacrifice. Love bears our burdens. Love believes we will all make it through this. Love gives us hope for better days. Love helps us endure when we want to give up. Love never fails.
Wherever you are today, may you answer the Lord's call to show his life-giving love to someone who needs it.