WEDNESDAY, TWENTY FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Cor 12:31–13:13 Ps 33: 2-5, 12, 22 Lk 7: 31-35
THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE
Today’s readings offer a profound opportunity to reflect on love and wisdom. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians presents a beautiful vision of love, urging us to strive for greater gifts and showing us the excellent way of love. Love is patient, kind, and forgiving, not envious, boastful, or proud. It always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. As we reflect on our lives, we are forced to confront our shortcomings. Are we patient and kind? Do we avoid envy and self-seeking behaviour? Do we forgive and rejoice in the truth? These questions guide us toward living a life that reflects true love. Paul concludes that faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the people of his generation, comparing them to children in the marketplace who cannot be pleased. Despite the mighty works of Jesus, the people of his generation refused to believe in Him. The experience of John the Baptist was not anything different. Jesus was rejected because he was too ordinary, a friend of sinners and the outcast of the society; while John was avoided because he was severe and austere. Jesus wanted to be fair with all and not exclude anyone from the kingdom of God, but when others were unfair with him and his works by swinging their moods, he wonders at what went wrong. Are we open to transformation?
True wisdom is justified by its fruits. When we live according to Paul’s principles of love, our lives become testimonies to God’s wisdom. Let us strive to represent this love, making it the guiding principle in our relationships and interactions. Let us be open to Jesus’ wisdom, allowing it to transform us, even when it challenges us. As a result, our lives will become a witness to the power of love and wisdom, and we will make a positive impact on the world around us. May we be guided by love and wisdom, and may we share that love with the world.
Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage.
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