Genesis 8:6-13, 20-22 / Mark 8:22-26
It's just one day after Valentine's Day and the expressions of love are still fresh in many hearts who have exchanged gestures of love.
So if we are asked what is love, how would we begin? Which attribute of love would we chose to begin with?
Certainly there are many expressions of love. But in 1 Corinthians 13:4, it is interesting that the attributes of love begin with patience, followed by kindness, it does not envy, not boastful, not proud, etc.
Patience is also a virtue that is necessary for us to see the marvels and wonders of God working slowly and surely in our lives.
For example, in the 1st reading, at the end of 40 days Noah opened the porthole of the ark and sent out a raven. Then, he sent out a dove and he had to wait for another seven more days for the earth to dry up. And he had to wait for another seven more days before he knew the earth was dry enough for him to set foot on.
Similarly in the gospel, the blind man could only see partially before Jesus prayed over him again and then he could see clearly.
It seems that God works slowly but surely and we need to have patience in order to see and understand God's marvels and wonders.
Patience also helps us to be thankful for the little wonders from God before we can see the great marvels that He wants to do for us.
Indeed, love is patient. And God is surely patient with us for being so slow to see His love for us and so quick to sin and turn away from Him.
So as God is patient with us, may we also be patient with others. That would be the first expression of our love for them.