The Greatest of These is Love

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“Faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love”

--1 Corinthians 13:13

From the moment he encountered the Lord on the road to Damascus, St. Paul became a passionate apostle of Jesus Christ. His letters reveal his loving concern for the men and women of Rome, Corinth, Colossae and other early Christian communities. His words speak to us as they first spoke to them.

In The Greatest of These is Love, Christopher Ruff reflects on key passages from the writings of St. Paul on love. He illustrates Paul’s themes through inspiring stories of men and women touched by grace. Written for small-group reflection, this resource is also suitable for individual use.

Like the other books in the Discipleship Series, The Greatest of These is Love:

• Is ideal for busy people, with 6 short, engaging sessions.
• Soaks deeply and prayerfully in a few key passages (in this case from the letters of St. Paul).
• Connects with real life through timely discussion questions.
• Fosters love of neighbor through a simple component of service.
• Brings to life each theme with true stories that inspire.

- Blessed Bartolo Longo – A priest of the occult finds conversion on his own road to Damascus.

- Matt Talbot – An Irish drunk, a nobody, becomes a shining member of the Body of Christ.

- The Sisters in the Bronx – Years after her death, Mother Teresa’s Sisters continue to show “the greatest of these is love.”

- St. Maria Goretti – God chooses the lowly and the weak to shame (and to convert) the strong.

- St. Damien of Molokai – Missionary priest to the outcast, he writes: “I make myself a leper with the lepers to gain all to Jesus Christ.”

- Immaculée Ilibagiza – Miraculous survivor of the Rwandan genocide, she learns to “forgive…as the Lord has forgiven you.”

“This expanding set of small-group resources is aptly named the Discipleship Series. I recommend it wholeheartedly to individuals, groups, parishes and dioceses that wish to foster a deeper, fuller discipleship in Christ.”

— Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

“Christopher Ruff’s Discipleship Series has been a very effective instrument for the new evangelization in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. I recommended it to our parishes as a model for Lenten renewal, it is solidly Catholic yet simple. It doesn’t require a huge commitment from pastors, lay leaders, and participants, but it still fosters growth in holiness through good content, meaningful shared reflection, and a commitment to service. I look forward to seeing future volumes in the Discipleship Series.”

— Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archdiocese of Vancouver

“Blessed Are You makes the Beatitudes come alive with meaning and relevance. As with the other books in the Discipleship Series, Chris Ruff takes you deeper than a theoretical study of the Faith – into a shared experience of following Jesus and building his Kingdom in the world today. Truly second to none!”

— Chris Stefanick, Founder and President of Real Life Catholic

“Small faith-sharing groups which challenge the individual to works of charity and the apostolate are at the very core of the history of the reform of the Catholic Church. I congratulate Christopher Ruff on his work and hope that it will continue to be so well received."

— The late Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

About the Author

Chris Ruff has been writing small-group resources for more than 25 years, with a special desire to connect the inner life of intimacy with Christ with its outward expression in love of neighbor. Chris received his S.T.L. from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Rome and has been Director of Ministries and Social Concerns for the Diocese of La Crosse since 2001. HIs Discipleship Series has been used by parishes and dioceses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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