Homily Twenty-Fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13) “Do I Believe God is Patient and Kind?"
Homily Twenty-Fourth Wednesday of Ordinary Time (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13) “Do I Believe God is Patient and Kind?"
The verses from the Letter to the Corinthians are some of the most quoted in all of Scripture. Usually we read them at a wedding ceremony. But the love that is reflected upon is much more than a romantic love. The love that is written about is love that can be exercised towards anyone at any time.
It was suggested that when we read this passage, we might substitute the word God for love. If people tried this, we might have a different feeling about God.
We could say that many of us have a rather warped view of God. Perhaps this comes from our experiences growing up. God, after all, is a parental figure. At the very least he is an authority figure.
If we experienced authority figures while we were growing up that were always demanding and dissatisfied with whatever we did, we can come to project that onto God. God becomes a distant figure who is unhappy with us all the time.
But is this who God is? Jesus came to show us what God is really like. Most of us can easily substitute the name of Jesus for love in the Corinthians reading. We feel that Jesus is patient and kind and charitable, but we might have trouble feeling that way about general notion of God.
If we come to see God as the one who loves as Corinthians 13 describes than we don’t fear God, any more or even death itself. As Paul says everything becomes clear.
The city of Corinth was known for the manufacture of windows and mirrors. But the quality was poor. The mirrors were polished metal. The window glass distorted things. Paul says that one day everything about God would become clear. All the distortion will end. We will see God as the lover that God really is.
Reflection Question:
- How do I picture God? What are God’s chief attributes?
- Is my view accurate or distorted? What events in my Life have affected by picture of God?
Dear Parishioners,
This Friday we will be building the garage for the living space being remodeling in the Lee Parish Center. The remodeled space will be new living quarters for the priests who serve Sacred Heart. We are presently finalizing our plans and we hope to have permission soon to proceed with building. This is all part of TTT capital campaign drive. The garage should be erected in one day.
So far, Seton School’s classes continue with no major problems. When we started the year, we thought, we would be lucky to make a few days, but we have done far better than that. The administrators and students are to be congratulated. Let’s keep praying that our school community remains safe.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over us.
Fr. Mark