Strength. Independence. Perseverance. We aspire to these traits and think of them as signs of a healthy personhood. We love stories of personal triumph over exponential odds. We enjoy our visions of autonomy and independence that promise joy. Yet, who among us has found the fruit of love in our own stories of standing strong? Who here has seen love birthed from staying true to ourselves? Self-love perhaps, but that kind of love hates God, it doesn’t know God, it cannot. The humility and dependence of Christ carried him to us in joy. Brothers and sisters, let us take up this mind of Christ, let us live and love, let us cherish wisdom.