Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

"Love is patient, love is kind." St. Paul's hymn to love in 1 Corinthians 13 is read at countless weddings - and for good reason. But this isn't romantic sentimentality. It's a demanding standard: love that is not jealous, not pompous, not quick-tempered, not resentful. Love that bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.

In the Gospel, Jesus' neighbors in Nazareth try to throw Him off a cliff because He challenges their assumptions. Familiarity has made them unable to receive His message.

For families, both readings speak to the long haul. Patient love sustains marriages through difficult seasons. And familiarity can breed contempt - we can fail to see Christ in those closest to us simply because we think we already know them.

As a family, pray together:

• For patient love: Make our family a place where love is patient and kind, not jealous or resentful. Lord, hear our prayer.

• For fresh eyes: Help us to see each other with new eyes, recognizing Christ in one another. Lord, hear our prayer.

• For children with incurable diseases: Following the Holy Father's intention, we pray for sick children and their families. Lord, hear our prayer.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 slowly as a family. Then:

• Choose one quality (patient, kind, not jealous, etc.) to focus on this week
• Ask: Where have we fallen short of this standard? Where have we succeeded?
• Consider posting these verses somewhere visible in your home

Welcome to February! The month is dedicated to the Holy Family. Consider adding a prayer to the Holy Family to your daily routine.

Love's description in 1 Corinthians 13 is actually a description of Jesus. He is patient, kind, not jealous... This love is not something we generate on our own; it flows from Him. When you're at the end of your patience, remember: you're not the source. Draw from the inexhaustible well.