We have become very familiar with the passage from St Paul to the Corinthians in which he talks about the power of love. At the heart of his reflection is the knowledge to be fully known. He goes through the attributes of love being always patient and kind, never jealous, never boastful or conceited, never rude or selfish, which does not take offense or become resentful, doesn't take pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth. There is a reliance on building relationships of trust, hope, and endurance. The essence is to seek the good of the other not just our own good.
We can often become imperfect in this call to love for many reasons but sometimes it is the profound reflection that I am not God! There can be a belief that the world is centered on me and what I need rather than who I am called to become and what I have to give. We can seek to consume not only goods but also experiences that will make us feel good. Yet at the heart of the matter, we have been loved into being by an ever-creative God. It is this discovery that can shift our focus on what is good for ourselves and others.
Our prayer, for now, could reflect the words of Pedro Arrupe's prayer:
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