They will know we are Christians

		Living the Scriptures  with St. Paul University  Catholic Center  Susan Faust Casper

"Love never fails."

This week's readings include passages so beautiful many of us have learned them by heart. We recite them at weddings, embroider them into samplers for our walls, send greeting cards embellishing them in calligraphy.

Yet for all their familiarity, for all their beauty, we either don't listen, or don't really believe in them.

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Feb. 1, 2004) Jer 1:4-5, 17-19 Ps 71:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 15, 17 1 Cor 12:31--13:13 or     1 Cor 13:4-13 Lk 4:21-30

There. Have I annoyed you? Just a little? Are you thinking that you do believe in the power of love? You do listen to those words. You believe God IS love.

I like to think that I believe those words too. The problem is that I don't always live my life as though I believe that love never fails.

I recall a homily a number of years ago, in which the priest challenged all of us. He said that proclaiming one's devotion to Christ was all well and good, but shouldn't people know we are Christians just by observing the way we live?

I thought about that question for days. Who did I know whose life was so Christ-like, that even if they never spoke of their faith, I'd know they were Christian? One person came to mind: my friend Margaret.

When Margaret hears someone complaining, she waits quietly and then gently reminds us of something good about that person or circumstance. She finds ways to help before one even knows you need help.

She's open-minded and generous. Margaret is content with what she has. She doesn't care a lick about social standing.

When tragedy struck, she didn't say, "Why me?" A stranger, observing the way she lives her life, would know she was Christian by the love that underscores everything she says and does.

There are a myriad of self-help books that outline strategies for making relationships work. At the heart of each of them is the same message: respect one another; listen to one another, be charitable, be honest, be grateful for what you have. The writers might have followed Margaret around, or perhaps taken today's readings to heart.

Our lives are so often filled with pettiness and jealousy, with selfishness and greed. Our nation is at war - a sure sign that we haven't found a way to make love work in our lives.

	Reflection questions • Would someone observing your life know you are Christian? • In what circumstances do you find it most difficult to respond with love? What might you do differently to set yourself up for success?

But I believe we need to engrave that message in our hearts: Love never fails. And if we live as though we believe it, a revolution will take place within us and within our lives and it will spread, rippling out in waves reaching as far away as Iraq and as close as heaven's gate.

Those in heaven, people in other nations, our neighbors and family members will recognize a wonderful change and will want it for themselves. They will know we are Christians by our love.

Susan Faust Casper is a member of St. Paul University Catholic Center, Madison.

St. Paul's Web site is www.stpaulscc.org

Faith Alive

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