1 Cor 12:31 - 13:13 / Luke 7:31-35
We have often heard criticisms about others and often the focus seems to be on the one who is being criticized.
But if we are wise and matured enough, we would wonder about the one who is criticizing.
And when we think deeper about it, criticisms say more about the criticizer than about the one being criticized.
And by their criticisms, we may come to see that those who criticize others may not fully understand the situation and the circumstances and as well as the people they are criticizing.
In the gospel, Jesus described those people that criticized Him and John the Baptist as being like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place.
They were like playing games and in a way making fun of the messengers of God, calling one possessed and the other a glutton and a drunkard.
Certainly, criticism is not child's play because the aim is to find fault and to put the blame on others when things are not to their liking or when things go wrong.
But if criticizing others is like child's play, then the way of love is certainly for the matured and the wise.
As the 1st reading puts it - love is patient and kind, never jealous, never boastful or conceited, never rude or selfish, does not take offence, is not resentful, .
Love take no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.
These words about love and these words of love are for those who want move away from criticizing to loving. May we make these words our own and bring about love in the world.