Love does not insist on its own way all the time

Opening Prayer: Speak O Lord, Your servant is listening. 

Lectio: 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

Meditatio: Love doesn't insist on it's own way. When we look at the needs of others we should ask ourselves, are their needs being met while ours are being met? If not, maybe we should intervene. This shows love in a way that may be tangible to others. Sending time at a food bank just to help people get food for a week. That is love. Your heart shows people you love them. In the middle of a pandemic you helped feed my people. You gave them hope that someone loved them more than they expected. The scripture says when you do for the least of them, you are doing for me. This is what makes ministry so special. Paul probably had in mind here the practice of always putting oneself in first place without due consideration of others. Many situations in life call upon Christians to choose between benefit to themselves and to others. The loving person puts the benefit of others over his or her own good. Paul exemplified this practice when he refused to receive money for his work as an apostle (9:6–15). Jesus’ humiliation was the greatest expression of putting others’ benefit above one’s own (Phil. 2:4–8). It is also important to realize that this practice does not mean ignoring one’s own legitimate needs. Jesus himself withdrew from the crowds for his own benefit, sometimes just to get away and other times to pray (Luke 5:16; 22:41).

Oratio: Father, thank you for teaching us to love. For giving us hearts to serve and to give to others the love they have never known existed. Help me to continue showing love in ways that do not insist on my beliefs, but can also be strong when others challenge me with their beliefs. Amen

Contemplatio: Think of a time when you insisted on your own way? Was it out of love or would it have been better to let someone else's way be done?