Ss. Cornelius and Cyprian; Ember Wednesday

Paul tells the Corinthians that any gift, any sacrifice, any act of faith is worth nothing without love beneath it. The Gospel shows a generation that could not be pleased by either John's fasting or Jesus's feasting - a reminder that faithfulness will draw criticism regardless of its form. Today opens the autumn Ember days and remembers two bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, who held a costly middle position, formed by love rather than by compromise, when the Church was tempted toward either rigorism or laxity.

Paul tells the Corinthians to strive for the greatest spiritual gifts, then shows them a still more excellent way: without love, even prophecy, complete knowledge, mountain-moving faith, total generosity and bodily sacrifice are worth nothing. He describes what love is and is not - patient, kind, never jealous or rude, not self-seeking, not quick to anger - and closes by naming it as the one gift that will never end, greater even than faith and hope. Psalm 33 responds with a call to the just to rejoice in the Lord, praising the God whose word is upright and whose every deed is trustworthy. In the Gospel, Jesus compares his generation to children in the marketplace who cannot be satisfied - complaining that John the Baptist was too severe and the Son of Man too permissive - and concludes that wisdom is vindicated by all her children.

Lord Jesus, you showed us a more excellent way: Lord, have mercy. Christ Jesus, you were called too severe by some and too permissive by others, and remained faithful to the Father regardless: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, your love never fails: Lord, have mercy.

Introduction: Father, you have shown us that without love, nothing we do or offer is worth anything at all. Trusting in your patient and enduring love, we bring you our needs:

1. For the Church, that she would be known first for love and only afterward for anything she accomplishes; we pray to the Lord.
2. For our Holy Father, our bishop, and all pastors, that they would hold difficult positions faithfully rather than choosing whichever side is easiest to defend; we pray to the Lord.
3. For all beginning the autumn Ember fast today, that it would open room for love rather than becoming its own kind of performance; we pray to the Lord.
4. For everyone in this parish who has done something costly and gone unnoticed for it, that they would know it was not wasted; we pray to the Lord.
5. For the grace to be faithful even when, like John and like Jesus himself, we cannot please everyone watching; we pray to the Lord.
6. For all who have died, especially [name], that the love which never fails would carry them into life eternal; we pray to the Lord.

Concluding prayer: Father, you have taught us through your Apostle that love is the only gift that lasts. Receive the prayers of your people, and let whatever we do this day be done in love rather than for its own sake. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.