We hear this lesson so often that many of us can almost recite it. Instead of romantic love, Paul's words are about how we Christians are to relate to all with whom we come into contact. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.
Maybe when we hear it in less poetic language it become more obvious. This is how we are to be in relationships. This is how we are to be with our family, our friends, and, as Jesus said in last week's Gospel, even our enemies. This is probably a far cry from where most of us are in our relationships. In the past week I have met several people who are in recovery, for whom their 12 step programs mean as much or more than the church.