Jesus: My friends, let us reflect upon a passage from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In his letter, Paul speaks of love, a cornerstone of our teachings. He says in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
John: Master, this speaks deeply of love’s true nature. It seems that love is not just a feeling but an action and a commitment.
Jesus: Indeed, John. Love is active and enduring. It is not merely an emotion but a way of living that reflects God’s love for us. It goes beyond mere tolerance and extends into long-suffering patience and kindness.
Peter: I understand that love is patient and kind, but sometimes it’s hard to not be envious or boastful, especially when we see others succeeding.
Jesus: Peter, true love, the kind that comes from God, is not concerned with competition or pride. It finds joy not in the failures of others, but in the truth and goodness. When you love, you rise above petty jealousies and prideful boasts.
Thomas: Lord, but what does it mean to ‘bear all things’ and ‘believe all things’? Should we then be naive and accept everything?
Jesus: Thomas, to ‘bear all things’ is to endure hardships for the sake of love. ‘Believing all things’ doesn’t mean being gullible, but rather having faith in God’s plan and in the inherent goodness in people. Love believes in the potential for goodness and truth in all situations.
Andrew: So, in essence, love is not only about our feelings towards others but also about how we act and react to them, even in challenging situations?
Jesus: Precisely, Andrew. Love is the essence of God’s commandments. It’s about how we treat others, how we speak, our patience, and our humility. It’s the foundation of everything I have taught you. Remember, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
