5th Sunday in Ordinary Time [C]
January 30, 2022
Luk 4:21-30
1 Cor 12:31 – 13:13

What is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit for Paul? Is it speaking in tongue? Gift of understanding intricate mysteries of God? Gift of performing mighty deeds or healing? For Paul, it is love.

Paul himself says that if we have the gift of tongues to speak foreign languages or the language of angels, it will be useless without love. If we have the gift of prophecy or possess the knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of faith or the faith to move the mountains, they will be meaningless without love. If we donate everything we have, and to the point of sacrificing ourselves, but the motive is not to love, then it will be useless.

But, what makes this love is special? In Greek, several words can be translated as ‘love,’ namely ‘eros,’ ‘filia,’ and ‘agape.’ Eros is a love that unites man and woman in marriage and is open to new life. Filia is the love of friendship. People who have the same interest or vision in life tend to like and stick together as friends. Then, we have ‘Agape.’ This kind of love is radically different from Eros and Filia. While the other two are love moved by emotional power, agape primarily is the willpower and commitment. No wonder it is also called sacrificial love.

One powerful element that Paul introduces to the agape as a gift of the Holy Spirit is that it is not a static gift. It is not only something received and then given. Paul calls it ‘the most excellent way.’ The word ‘way’ points to journey, process, and growth. Agape is dynamic and growth-oriented. We do not only love, but we also grow in love.

In English, the words used to describe agape are adjectives, but these words are verbs in original Greek. Agape is not something static but action-oriented and dynamic. Agape is not simply patient, but agape is trying to be patient. Agape is not merely kind, but it is performing kindness. There is a transformation from someone who does not care about others to someone who learns to show compassion. Agape is not simply quick-tempered but is making a great effort not to be destructive in expressing anger.

What is fantastic about agape is that it is a gift of God for every Christian, and we possess the ability to learn and grow in love. We might not have the gift of healing, or the gift of prophecy, or the gift of performing miracles, but we can learn to be more patient with one another. We might not have the charism to teach or the authority to govern our communities, but we can decide not to be rude to people we do not like. We might not be the most brilliant guys in the group or someone who contributes a lot to others, but we can always be someone who patiently listens.

Agape is both the most fundamental as well as the most excellent. We are called to grow in love each time because, in the end, all things will cease, and only love remains.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP