Love is not Rude

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. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Mediatio: Love is not rude. What does it mean to be rude? It means to be ill-mannered. Love is not to be ill-mannered. How often have you been ill towards someone? The Greek phrase could literally be translated “does not act unbecomingly” or “does not act inappropriately.” Christian love does not seek to cause problems, and it does not belittle others. Christian love involves choosing appropriate actions and responses that help other people. Love rejects rudeness because rudeness is reserved for the insensitive and the insecure. Just tonight my mother called me stupid for working in the ministry. I don't think that I am stupid for being willing to go an work at a food bank. Right now it may not make sense since we are under strict regulations from the CDC given the coronavirus. However, if you love someone you shouldn't be rude to them. Love is kind, patient, doesn't envy, doesn't boast, and isn't prideful. In fact, these things hurt love, it's why love is so hard for people to accept. It's hard for people to understand that love is a lot of things, but it's not what we think. In our human condition, love is flawed, but it is perfected in us through Christ. Rudeness snatches parking spaces. Rudeness mocks others. Rudeness interrupts. Christ, on the other hand, was courteous. He was patient, thoughtful, and careful to treat people with respect. Notice that the first five letters of the word courteous spell court. In old England, to be courteous was to act in the way of the court. The family and servants of the king were expected to follow a higher standard. So are we. Are we not called to represent the King?

Oratio: God, thank you for the gift of love. Help us to realize what love truly is. We know that in our human condition love is flawed, but we also know that it can be perfected in us through Christ. Pour out your love to each of us, that we may continue to grow deeper in our relationship with you. 

Contemplatio: What have you learned so far about love? When you read that love isn't rude, what do you think that means? Are you willing to stop being rude?