VII.
Let’s give another reading to both of these passages.

Take note that Paul speaks of what fulfills, what never ends, and what ceases.

Read the passages again, looking for how the eternal might break into our lives that are often held captive to the momentary.

VIII.
Romans 13:8-10 (NRSVue)

Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (NRSVue)

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

IX.
“… for the one who loves has fulfilled the law … love never ends … I have been fully known … faith, hope and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.”

Where does the One who fully knows you, see faith, hope and love in our life?

Where do you see faith, hope and love in your life?

What does Paul offer you in the way of hope and the three, faith, hope and love, can increase in your life?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}