Love is the Better Way

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 9:39 am Post subject: Love is the Better Way

Love is the Better Way

Scripture:

And the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Before I formed you in the womb of your mother, I knew you: and before you came forth out of the womb, I sanctified you, and made you a prophet unto the nations.

You therefore gird up your loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Be not afraid at their presence: for I will make you not to fear their countenance. For behold I have made you this day a fortified city, and a pillar of iron, and a wall of brass, over all the land, to the kings of Juda, to the princes thereof, and to the priests, and to the people of the land. And they shall fight against them, and shall not prevail: for I am with you, said the Lord, to deliver you. (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19)

But be zealous for the better gifts. And I show unto you yet a more excellent way.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love is patient, is kind: love envies not, deals not perversely, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeks not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil: Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices with the truth: Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never falls away: whether prophecies shall be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain faith, hope, and love, these three: but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:1-13)

And he began to say to them: This day is fulfilled this scripture in your ears. And all gave testimony to him. And they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth. And they said: Is not this the son of Joseph? And he said to them: Doubtless you will say to me this similitude: Physician, heal thyself. As great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in your own country. And he said: Amen I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his own country. In truth I say to you, there were many widows in the days of Elias in Israel, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout all the earth. And to none of them was Elias sent, but to Sarepta of Sidon, to a widow woman. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet: and none of them was cleansed but Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And they rose up and thrust him out of the city: and they brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them, went his way. (Luke 4:21-30)

Reflection:

Even before we are conceived, God has plans and expectations for us. He seeks to guide us to our potential so that we may achieve the purpose for which He has commissioned us. If we accept that He is by our side, there is nothing we should fear, there is nothing we cannot endure. Through faith in Him, we receive strength. Through prayer, He will guide us. By opening our heart to Him, we open ourselves to what is right and good. As we share His Word from heart to heart, we share what sustains the soul.

Blessed are those who draw near to Him, for in their choice they draw near to His grace, His blessing and His mercy. Though His hand is outstretched to all that they may join as prophets of His Word, many fail to understand what is possible through Him and seek a different way. They wander to the darkness, spurning their salvation. What could lure them away from the perfection of God is what lured Eve to consume from the forbidden tree.

Through the generations He has sought to guide us away from evil and the temptations of sin to a better way, the way paved by the blessings of love. The love of which Paul writes to the Corinthians, the love to which God calls us, is not what comes from the senses or physical attractions, but what is offered through unconditional caring and sacrifice. It is the love which is demonstrated through charity, yet it is beyond charity, it is beyond kindness. It is the love which is demonstrated through service, caring and forgiveness. It is the love which is demonstrated through selflessness. It is the love which is offered without expectation of what may be given in return.

What was done for us on the cross is the perfect example of the love of which Paul writes. It was through the love of Jesus for us that He suffered. It was through His love for us that He washed the feet of those who followed Him so that they would understand that to live as an example of His Word called us to serve one another. It was through His love that all who believe in Him shall receive forgiveness of their sins and salvation in the kingdom of heaven.

How is it, then, that anyone would turn away from what is so freely given to them? How is it, that in the light of such beauty, anyone would prefer to continue in its absence? How is it, then, that anyone would seek any path which does not include the depths and truths of love (agape)? It is only possible if we are deceived that the ways of selfishness grant us more than love. It is only possible if we trust only in what we see in this world. It is only possible if we do not see the harm we cause in what we do and what we fail to do.

Because the children of His creation must learn from their experience, He has sent them prophets; but the people, failing to understand, reject those who prophesy for the Lord. Because He so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son to teach them. Some would hear and some would follow, but many still failed to understand. He revealed to them the scripture which foretold of His coming and the great works which would come in those days, but selfishness and pride would keep hearts closed.

What angered some is that He revealed that the God of all creation cared not just for the chosen tribes, but for all the children of His creation. They did not understand the consequence of their arrogance and disobedience. They did not understand that though their God stood beside them and they were His chosen; it was not to select them at the exclusion of any other, but that He would care for all who drew near to Him, Gentile or Jew.

The people rose in anger in their hearing, but His hour of suffering and sacrifice had not yet come; therefore he walked through and away from them. Had they known, had they understood who was in their presence, they would have prostrated themselves before Him and prayed for His forgiveness. How merciful is our God that His sacrifice would be extended even to the angry and arrogant if in the witness of His love that they should turn to believe in Him?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier