30TH SUNDAY HOMILY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR A
THEME: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF!
By: Fr. Justus Oruma
(a) The ability to love your neighbor as you love yourself is only possible for those who first love God, which is why Jesus linked the two together: love of God and love of neighbor. The word “neighbour” here, simply put, means someone next to you because of the space you share in common. This space you share in common with human being is the IMAGE OF GOD. Every human person bears this image. Because you share his common space with everyone, everyone is your neighbour. It is the image of God I see in the neighbour that makes me see him as “someone like me”. His joy should be my joy, his plight should be my plight.
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(b) Jesus calls this attitude the first and greatest commandment. There are many laws today; from the state, church and tradition. Any of such laws which does work for the life, safety and well-being of the human person is not binding. Also, style of life or comportment one upholds, even the most rigorous religious life-style which is scornful and does not depict the love for the neighbour is disgusting to God.
(c) People have today loved money, politics and riches more than the neighbour. Infact the neighbour has become a victim for the chase of power and fame. Life and character of the neighbour have been assassinated for the love of oneself and egoism. People have destroyed people’s name for favour. When a brother or sister does not even see the image of God in his own blood relative, then that is the hight of the hatred not just of the neighbour but of God for he who says he loves God and hates his brother is a liar. “1 John 4:20). Charity begins at home.
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