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Men of Epiphany will be meeting this Saturday, January 27th, 6:30 a.m. in the Hearth room. If you can make it, this study is a marvelous preparation for each week's Mass readings.

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Growing in Love for One Another, As Jesus Has Loved Us

Sunday, January 28, 2007
Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19
Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17
1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13
Luke 4:21-30

Click here for readings  (For quick review only; bring your Bible)

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to discover that we are all imperfect. Scripture is clear, in fact, that we are all sinners. And that means that we are incapable of loving each other in the absolute way that St. Paul describes in today’s second reading. Clearly, Paul knows that he himself is imperfect, but he also knows that perfection will come one day, and that our imperfections will all be done away with (1 Corinthians 13:10). When is that? When Jesus comes again in glory.

While we await Jesus’ return, Paul encourages us to try our best to increase our love for each other. He calls us to love as best as we can, as often as we can, as perfectly as we can. Implied in this call is the exhortation not to let our sins and weaknesses convince us that we simply cannot progress any farther along the way to perfection.

In truth, we know how difficult it is for us to love as Jesus loved—including St. Paul. But that should not stop us from taking small steps along the way. Is it difficult to be more loving? Yes. At times, it may seem like the hardest thing we could ever do! But is it really impossible? No! God has given us the Holy Spirit, and nothing is impossible where the Spirit is concerned (Romans 5:5).

Every day, let’s try to let God’s love, which is perfect, inspire us to grow in our own love. The more we experience God’s overflowing, unending love for us, the more we will be able to love others, both when their good behavior shines and when their weaknesses come out.

As we press on in loving one another, we will discover that this love has the power to cover over our own sins and our weaknesses (1 Peter 4:8). That’s the way God always works: Those who give also receive—and receive in great abundance. So, let your love cover over your family, your friends, and even those you find difficult to love. Let’s not let any division or difference overcome our love for each other.

““Father, I want to know and experience in a deeper way your overflowing, unending love for me, so I can give it to others. Teach me how to love, just as you have always loved me.”

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1.    In the first reading, the Lord tells Jeremiah that even before he was born, he was known by God and had been called by God to serve him. God has also called each one of us to his service as well. He has also given us the spiritual gifts we need to serve him and build his Church. In exercising these gifts (today’s first reading uses prophecy as an example), God promises his strength and protection. He promises to be with all of us who respond to his call. What are the gifts you believe God has given you? How have you used them to serve him and others, and how can you use them even more in the future?

2.    In the responsorial psalm, we state that our hope, trust, and dependence are in God who is our strength. Can you share an example of how God gave you the opportunity and strength to share your gifts with someone?

3.    In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us to “strive eagerly” for spiritual gifts, but that no matter how important the individual gifts each of us has, unless we exercise love in their use we “are” and “gain” nothing. What can you do to “strive eagerly” for spiritual gifts?

4.    The well know definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 contains a list of elements that should resonate with each of us and cut to the heart of our weaknesses, whether we are quick-tempered, keep score of injuries received, etc. How can you use this list to learn what St. Paul calls the “more excellent way” of love?

5.    In the Gospel, we see the reaction of people to hearing the word of God from someone close to them. The initial reaction to his “gracious words” was positive. When he went on to challenge them, the people reacted angrily to Jesus’ words? What is your response when someone close to you challenges your preconceptions either of yourself or of God?

6.    In the meditation, we hear these words: “The more we experience God’s overflowing, unending love for us, the more we will be able to love others, both when their good behavior shines and when their weaknesses come out.” Why do you think our ability to love others in the same way God has loved us is so tied to the depth of our own personal experience of God’s love? Take some time at the end of your meeting to pray for one another to know and experience God’s love more deeply. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.

Come Holy Spirit!  ~  Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and en kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your spirit and they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit. In that same spirit give us your right judgment and the joy of your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Prayer to St. Joseph  ~  Glorious St. Joseph, guide and protector of the Holy Family, we ask that you obtain for us from your son, Jesus, the strength and wisdom to lead our families to their Father in heaven. Most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we imitate your obedience to the will of God and be ever mindful of the vocation to which we have been called. Amen