In the Letter to the Hebrews, the author states in chapter 7 that “the law brought nothing to perfection.” How true that is. We can never become perfect by comparing ourselves to a standard because we will always come up short. Trying to perfect ourselves through austerity, abasement and discipline seldom brings anything but failure – any dieter will attest to that. So, why do we judge each other (not in the criminal sense) against a “law”? Why do we hold up a standard and a pointed finger in our relationships? The other is bound to fail.
Perhaps the answer lies in another approach: “Love never fails.” In the Second Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul lists all that love is and promises that if a person is patient and kind, and not jealous, inflated or rude, not self interested or quick tempered and does not brood over injury, this kind of love will never fail. If we bear all things, believe, hope, and endure, love will finally triumph over woundedness and fear.
This is the kind of standard that is not a law, but an attitude – and a person. “God is Love” the Letter of John tells us. Our God is patient, kind and enduring and God will never fail us. Today, I will believe that.
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