“Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts. But I shall show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31
“At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
“Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” Luke 7: 35
Piety/Faith
Let us pray. Dear Lord Jesus, you spent every last ounce of strength climbing Calvary. Wearing the crown of thorns. With the whips tearing your back. The weight of the cross only lightened by Simon. But Simon could not lessen the weight of our sins – the sins of all eternity that you carried with you to your death. But Simon could not ease the pain of the nails you chose to endure. Simon could not stop the sword from piercing your side.
Jesus, reveal the truth of your love to us as God revealed his love for us by sending you to save the world. Help us to spread your love throughout the world…not by condemning the world or by judging the world, but by serving the world through out piety, study and action. Amen.
Study/Hope
http://www.usccb.org/nab/092006.shtml
In the ultimate close moment with you, Jesus, when we see you face to face, what Jesus shall we see?
Shall we gaze on the innocent baby in the manager with his poor, homeless refugee parents?
Shall we gaze at the young boy teaching in the temple?
Shall we gaze on the face of Jesus preaching on the mountain or on the plain?
Shall we gaze on the face of Jesus walking across the rough seas to the scared disciples in a boat tossed upon the waves of a stormy sea?
Shall we gaze on the pain in your eyes from Gethsemane to Calvary?
Shall we gaze on the resurrected Jesus walking to Emmaus or grilling fish on the beach?
When shall we see You face to face?
How will we react? How will you, Jesus, react to seeing us?
Sometimes, when I sit down at night or in the morning to meditate on the daily readings, I just have to wait for the Holy Spirit to act because I am struck by how little I know and how beautiful the scripture is. The reading doesn’t need me or Beth or even Fr. Joe. It is a pearl of great price without need of explanation.
Today’s first reading from Corinthians is one such scripture. Perhaps 1 Corinthians 13 is the greatest statement on the greatest virtue that has ever been written.
It teaches us that ours is definitely not a passive faith. St. Paul advises that we must, “Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.” Our Christian journey, our Fourth Day, takes effort, a lot of effort. Everyday. We can’t just pray for it. We can’t just study for it. We have to work at our mission with active love in the world.
It will be a struggle. We must go all-out, like an Olympic speed skater racing and balancing on blades one-quarter inch thick to win a race on slippery ice by less than one hundredth of a second.
We must make every effort – not just try one thing but try every “thing.” So we are called upon to do our utmost to the greatest possible amount, degree, or extent; the maximum.
Look at the cross…Jesus’ human body hangs there. He had nothing more to give physically. The greatest gift He gave to us is His love. Now, it is up to us – inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit he sent -- to follow his example and go share that with each other and the world.
Action/Love
The greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
As one weekend ends with the men of the 113th Cursillo returning to the world, another is in formation. The women of the 123rd Cursillo have adopted this phrase from Corinthians as the theme for their weekend. Do you know someone who is ready to encounter Jesus face to face from November 2-5, 2006 at the Josephite Pastoral Center?
Please pray for the team and potential candidates. Also, use this as a time to strengthen your Fourth Day journey. http://arlingtoncursillo.org/CursillosSubweb/w123/w123.htm
We have to give this faith to others to make it grow in the world.
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