Finding Love or Giving Love?

As I thought about the readings from Mass today I could not help but smile when I thought about the second reading.   Today’s second reading was from Corinthians 12:31 – 13:13.   And yes this is the same verse that we all know so well from weddings and was even made famous in our modern culture by the movie Wedding Crashers.   The most well-known part says, “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous, it is not pompous, etc.  I have always loved that verse but today’s reading included the prequel to those lines which really caught my attention.  St. Paul says:

“Brothers and sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3)

I don’t know why these words stuck out so much.  I think maybe it’s because when I usually hear these famous words from St. Paul I think of romantic love.  And what I think of when I think of romantic love is finding, “true love” or “lasting love” or the “perfect one”.  It’s like I’m a puzzle piece and can only fit with that one other puzzle piece in the entire puzzle.  When I’m dating someone or even if it’s just a first date or even just a first phone conversation I sometimes get ahead of myself and start thinking, “does this have potential to be 'true love' or 'lasting love' or the 'perfect one'.”  I think most of us have this idea of what that is supposed to look like for us.  I know I do.  It’s like this person is somehow supposed to bring love like we have never experienced to us as a gift sent from heaven.  And the only way I can receive that gift is if I go out and find it. 

What struck me about this verse is that St. Paul seems to be telling us we could receive all the gifts in the world: knowledge, prophecy, faith, charity.  Yet if we are not giving the gift of love we will have nothing.  As I pondered this I could only think that instead of wasting so much time searching maybe I need to concentrate on loving more.  I need to concentrate on loving those around me no matter who those may be.  I’m not just talking about romantic love but more so wishing, wanting, and willing the good of others around me.  This is the gift we can all give so freely.  Maybe in giving love more freely we might actually find love in ways that we did not expect.