“The proof of the pudding”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Monday, October 16, 2023

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (Forward, p. 79) CEV p. 1200

I must say that I approached this passage with more than a wee bit of trepidation, namely because it is so very familiar and so ‘old hat’ to both myself and others. After all, it has been used in wedding services beyond count, and in other services, such as funerals, as well. So, what could we find in it that would speak to us today?

Well, here is one case in which a tradition other than our accustomed one comes in handy. In my present translation, the Contemporary English Version, each of the first three verses begins with the words “What if I…” and then goes on to describe something that might easily be characterized as exemplary and as a much to be esteemed behaviour:

“What if I could speak all the languages of humans and of angels”

“What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets & all knowledge.

And what if I had faith that moved mountains”

“What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive”

But in each of these cases, such actions are dismissed totally if not backed up by love:

I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal;

I would be nothing;

I would gain nothing.

Our love has to be proved by our actions. As the old saying goes, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”

Then, in this lovely passage, Paul goes on to describe just what that love should look like:

-kind, patient, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, and

never rude. Furthermore, it isn’t selfish or quick tempered;

-love doesn’t keep a record of wrongdoing and while rejoicing in the

truth doesn’t dwell on evil;

-love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting;

-what is more: it doesn’t quit or give up on us or each other. Love is

one of the few things that will be around for ever.

However, these words about what ‘the pudding’ tastes like (as in ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating’) always give me rise:

-am I kind and patient, especially with those who irritate me or stroke

me the wrong way, those that are continually whining or complaining,

or those with a well-developed sense of entitlement?

-am I not selfish and self-centred at times, dismissive of people

and ideas and agendas that are not in accord with my own, and even

short-tempered with them at times?

-do I forget the past and my past experiences of certain people,

especially when they show up time after time with the very same

issues and problems, apparently having done nothing themselves to

deal constructively deal with them?

-am I generally hopeful and trusting, especially when the local church

seems bogged down in ‘the same old, same old’, whether that has to

do with the building or finances or people?

-and yes, am I tempted at times just to want to give up on it all, and

not worry or be bothered with it all?

So then, how is my love being expressed? Or, put another way, ‘is the proof of the pudding really in the eating’, the eating of my own actions? It would seem to be a question for all of us.

Forward notes: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, there three; and the greatest of these is love” (verse 13).

“Today’s passage is probably very familiar to you. It is often read at weddings because it talks about love. In this final verse of chapter 13, we get the trio of faith, hope, and love. This trio appears together in other

books of the New Testament. It is also an integral part of the mission statement at my church, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.

“To honour St. Mary’s founding as a mission for Japanese immigrants, the Japanese characters for faith, hope, and love appear on a scroll prominently displayed in the sanctuary. To honour St. Mary’s present, these three words appear on a mural in the parking lot: faith in English, hope in Japanese, and love in Spanish. These principles guide much of St. Mary’s outreach: providing a safe place for local youth bands and basketball teams and housing for college students, planting community gardens, offering tutoring programs, and much more. All of these efforts help our congregation live out God’s call for love of neighbour. Faith and hope are important, but as Paul says to the Corinthians, love is the greatest.”

Moving Forward: “How do you live out faith, hope, and love?”