Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Valentine’s Day is a good day to remember 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. The meaning of this passage has changed over my lifetime. When I was younger and heard this passage I would think about how difficult it is to love. As I continued to grow in my prayer life these verses were not as scary as I once thought, they were still difficult but I began to see them in a different way. Today I see this challenge in two ways. First I am supposed to love everyone no matter who they are. Second I am to love myself as God loves me. In loving myself I remember that I make mistakes and God forgives me so I have to learn to forgive others and love them.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 the description of love is our guide on how to live and treat others. These are not easy but knowing that God is near when we get into trouble and stumble is a blessing. God’s help gives us an extra little boost to treat others as we would like to be treated. God knows that we have trouble loving everyone, all the time. He is just waiting for us to ask him for help. So today, take the time to ask God for help in loving everyone, including yourself.
Do you have a favorite verse or passage that helps you to love everyone?
Go in the love of God to all those you meet and share that love.
– Sr. Barb Knauf
❤️
Thank you, Sr. Knauf. Human love is hard, but God’s love is so easy. I will remember your words the next time I am beating myself up about something stupid I did or neglected to do. Then, vow to do better with the God’s grace. I do that over and over again, but thanks for reminding me, “…to love myself as God loves me.”
Beautiful message Sr. Barb and I can relate to the challenge to love everyone and myself too. 1st.Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite passages. Happy Valentine’s Day 💗
Wise reminder Sr. Barb! May the grace of God guide me to love others and myself even in the trying times❤️
Beautiful and timely message. Thank you. Yes, God’s love is so present and we all need to give that love to all as we journey. What a gift we have in our faith and God’s promise to be with us all. We are gift to each other and that makes love all the more precous.