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. Love never ends.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth, he tells us explicitly how God expects His followers to behave, and how to treat each other. When I recently read this passage, the “patience” part jumped out at me, mainly because I’m homeschooling a kindergartener. And my teenagers want to be out with their friends. My patience is definitely being put to test these days! But looking at this passage a little deeper, I am reminded that God has given us the enormous gift of love -- a love that endures all things and even survives death. This love gives us the internal motivation of outflowing concern for other people. Especially right now. This love not only helps us get along with and enjoy each other, but it helps us survive. Especially right now.
This is selfless love. It’s so much bigger than us.
Even though the doors to our Church are temporarily closed, and we’re stuck inside our homes, God’s love bears and endures the Earth’s present chaos. Let us each love in the way expected by God and instructed by Paul. And in the days and weeks ahead, let us love and care for each other in a way that will get us all through this.
Dear God, Thank you for your gift of unending love, and for your presence in this difficult time. Please give us the strength, patience, and kindness to love each other as you love us. Amen.
